Staff

Rev. Father Dariusz Miskowicz - Parish Priest

Write-up coming soon.

Rev. Father Jose Thomas - Assistant Priest

I, Fr. Jose Thomas was born March 10th, 1975 and raised in the Southern State of Kerala in India. I came to Canada in 2002 where I spent a year and half going through cultural integration. This included parish involvement at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, now know as St. Benedict's Parish, and at the Archdiocesan Catholic Pastoral Center while staying with the Moore Family. I enrolled in the Theology programme at St. Peter' Seminary in 2004. After two years of the study, I spent a year of Pastoral Internship at St. Ignatius Parish in Bedford Nova Scotia. Following my pastoral year, I returned to the seminary to complete another year. I was ordained as a deacon on May 14th 2007, at St. Ignatius in Bedford. Following the ordination, I spent a summer placement at Blessed Pope John XXIII Parish in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. I returned the seminary for my final year and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Anthony Mancini on June 14th 2008. I came to Truro in August 2008 and have been enjoying my work as an assistant priest here in Immaculate Conception with the missions. Two things about me, I love Jesus and the Church. " You did not choose me, but I chose you" John 15.16 is my favourite verse from the Scripture.

Deacon Brian Smith - Pastoral Associate

Deacon Brian is married to Shirley, and they have one daughter Jessica. Originally from Liverpool, NS, he has been in Dartmouth for the past 32 years. Deacon Brian was ordained to the Permanent Deaconate on August 10, 2004 at St. Mary's Basilica in Halifax by Archbishop Prendergast. He has spent 18 years providing pastoral and Palliative care to residents of Ocean View Manor in the Parish of St. Andrews in Eastern Passage. He also spent 8 months at Hope Cottage in Halifax as a volunteer to the homeless. Deacon Brian has completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education through the Canadian Association of Pastoral Practice Education. He has spent two years with his mentor, Rev. Dr. Chris Coffin, working as Chaplain intern at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside, Dartmouth. He was appointed to Immaculate Conception Parish in Truro effective August 15, 2004, where he looks forward to working with the Parish community and Nova Institute for women, and many nursing homes throughout the county.

Mrs. Helen Lowthers - Parish Catechist

Helen is married to Jim Lowthers and is the mother of Erin, Trevor, Erica and Megan, and the grandmother of Isabel Katherine and Sophie Elizabeth. Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Helen attended Kings County Academy. Her secondary education includes graduation from the Nova Scotia Teachers College, and the Atlantic School of Theology. While living in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Helen took a position at the Antigonish Playschool, and was very active in the church community. In 1986, Helen moved to Truro, and took a position with Truro Playschool, which she held until she was employed by Immaculate Conception Parish in 1993. She has been and still is involved in many ministries in this parish. Helen belives that children are our most precious resource, and they need to be loved and nurtured.

Sara Forbes - Parish Secretary

Sara joined the staff of Immaculate Conception Church in February 2009, after moving to Tatamagouche, NS from Summerside, PE. Sara was born and raised in Prince Edward Island, and is the oldest of seven children. She attended Holland College, graduating in Accounting Technology. From there, she worked as a buyer for a building supply company for a number of years and just recently finished her fourth year of working with the Federal Government as a contract employee. Sara moved to Tatamagouche in January 2009 and married Matthew Forbes in May. They are expecting their first child in January 2010. In her spare time, Sara enjoys scrap booking, playing her bagpipes, spending time with family and working on her part-time business of selling scrap booking supplies. Sara has fit in well with our congregation and staff here at Immaculate Conception Church, and is very much enjoying her position as your Secretary.

Mrs. Melanie Ballard - Confirmation Team Leader

Hi I'm Melanie (MacDonald) Ballard. Born and raised in Heatherton, I attended Saint Mary's University and St. Francis Xavier University. I taught for two years at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering, Ontario. I loved teaching, but my heart (and Jesus) was calling me home to Nova Scotia, which really is a beautiful place to live. Upon returning home, I lived in Halifax and became involved in youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Halifax, where I worked and volunteered at summer camps, retreats and World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. In May 2003, I married Joe Ballard (who I met through WYD activities) and settled in Truro. Over the past several years, since my return to Nova Scotia, I have felt more strongly Jesus' influence in my life. I know that it was His Spirit working through me, and others, that has led me to my increased involvement with the church and to my vocation of marriage.

Dave Belben - Caretaker

Write-up coming soon.