What year were you ordained as a priest in Malta?

I was ordained on 5 November 2010 in St Julian's.

 

What kind of outreach programmes have you been helping to run?

I'm in awe that over the last years I have, by the grace of God, ministered to over 200,000 teenagers across Australia, Europe, North America and India. It has been quite an adventure to witness thousands of these thirsty souls reach out and find joy in Jesus.

While based in the parish of St Kilians Bendigo, serving as a chaplain to the Catholic College and local LaTrobe University campus, I have had a significant evangelistic and outreach ministry, speaking and singing at schools, conferences and churches around Australia and the world. My team currently minister to over 200,000 young people each year, carrying Christ's message of hope and relationship with Jesus to all they encounter.

In 2008 I founded, together with the late Bishop Joe Grech, the Stronger Youth Programme - a series of youth retreats, rallies and small groups which are run around the Sandhurst, Melbourne and Perth Australian Dioceses. By God's grace, Stronger is fast becoming one of Australia's largest Catholic youth movements.

Given the chance, would you consider running any youth retreats here in Malta?

I live in Australia but Malta will always have a special place in my heart. I live my life to serve young people, I get to do this across Australia and around the world - so I'd definitely consider it if I am able.

 

Music has been a powerful way for you to share God's message... what were some of the highlights of your musical 'career' to date?

While greatly appreciating my gift of music, I feel that before everything I am a follower of Christ, a priest and only then, a musician. Apart from a series of recordings and CD releases, I have written a number of songs for various campaigns and international conferences.

I have performed in Channel 10's, The Project, and recorded with several renowned artists such as pop idol Guy Sebastian, Paulini, Gary Pinto, Natasha Pinto and Amelia Farrugia. I am grateful I was selected to sing in the English version of the official 2015 World Youth Day song Blessed are the Merciful, and the international version of the official 2008 World Youth Day song, Receive the Power. Joining the cast of musicians having performed in these key events before an estimated 500,000 pilgrims in Sydney was a great experience.

 

What albums have you released so far?

The titles of my albums are Closer, What A Day, Reach Out and Something About You. My latest album release Something About You continues to do well in Australia, North America and Europe. You can also download a remix version of one of the songs in the album: Alive, and watch a new music video of the acoustic version of the same song on Youtube.

 

Most recently you took part in the Australian 'X Factor' auditions and did very well. Why did you leave?

While I am so grateful for the opportunity to have auditioned, got through to boot camp and worked with a wonderful team of contestants and judges, I have decided, out of my own will, to leave the Australian X Factor competition. I have looked at my pastoral, church, music and touring commitments for the rest of the year and found that I cannot reasonably honour both the competition and these. Even though some may argue that this is an evangelisation opportunity missed, my first commitment is to my relationship with God and to the Church to whom I am already committed.

 

During your 'X Factor' audition you sang 'Don't You Worry Child'. Can you please tell us more about this song and why you chose it?

I spend my life trying to help people understand their incredible dignity, and in understanding that, the future, no matter what life brings, will always be one full of hope. This song encapsulated this.

Do you have any plans to visit Malta in the near future?

I will be in Malta this month to visit my family.

 

Where will you be touring during Christmas time?

Malta, USA and a few concerts around Australia.

Should there be any young people going through a hard time, what kind of advice would you give them?

Life is beautiful, it is sometimes horrible but it is always worth putting up a fight for. We were not created to fight alone nor do we need to. God walks beside us if we let Him. Ask God to walk with you, find a community to support and encourage you.

 

Can you give us any advice with regards the Refugee Crisis currently happening in Europe?

God loves each of us equally, no matter our nationality, race, language or religion. Our responsibility is to help each other understand this. Becoming a place of refuge, Europe is doing exactly this. Australia has a lot to learn from Europe.

 

"Music is powerful. It speaks to the heart where often words can fail. This is where my music comes in. It serves to deliver the Word of God to the hearts of people. It delivers a message of hope and healing in a way that some people would be more willing to accept.

Although I record music, perform, give concerts and lead worship I am not a performer, I am not an entertainer but I am a worshipper and a minister of Word and Sacrament before and

above anything else." - Fr Rob

 

For more information visit www.frrobgalea.com. Visit YouTube.com/ThatsWorship for a selection of Fr Rob's videos including his Australian 'X Factor' audition held on 17 September