A new priest has arrived in Holywell all the way from Australia.

The Revd Andrea de Vaal Horciu, who is originally from Liverpool and has worked all over the world, will be joining the ministry team in Holywell. She will be focussing her work on the Holway Estate in the town.

A special service to welcome Andrea will be led by the Bishop of St Asaph on Sunday (3 March) at St Peter’s Church in Holywell, at 3pm.

The Rt Revd Gregory Cameron said: “I am delighted to welcome Andrea back to the area in which she has been rooted in the past.  As she returns from her ministry in Australia, Andrea will have much to offer us in living out the Gospel in north Wales today.”

Andrea was born in Liverpool, and ministry to children, young people and families has taken her to various places in England, along with Switzerland, Romania, Wales and Australia. This has included working with Romanian street children and in a hospital for children with HIV and AIDS.

In Canberra in Australia, she worked as a school chaplain and a disability chaplain. It was through her work in specialist schools that Andrea recognised the calling to journey more deeply with families affected by disability, realising that all people need the opportunity to experience the love of God and hear the gospel message.

Andrea is excited to move back to north Wales after 16 years living in Canberra, and looks forward to settling into life in Holywell and getting to know the local area and people.

The Anglican Churches in Holywell and Greenfield are part of the Holywell Mission Hub in the Estuary and Mountain Mission Area. A Mission Hub Church promotes growth and responds to need in locally distinctive ways. You can find out more at https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/mission-hubs/