Fr Josh Whitehead is the Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Parish, Caloundra, appointed in December 2023. He is the fifth pastor to lead the parish and is known for his focus on parish renewal, community connection, and helping people encounter Jesus in accessible and transformational ways.

Born in New Zealand in 1981, Fr Josh grew up in a large Catholic family and served eight years in the New Zealand Army, including operational deployment to Bamyan Province, Afghanistan. Following military service, he lived and worked across Australia and the United Kingdom, experiences that shaped a strong appreciation for community, service, and the realities of contemporary life.

A period working in the mining industry and later in the health and fitness sector preceded a growing sense of vocational calling. In 2012, he formally began discerning priesthood through the Archdiocese of Brisbane, entering Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo, the following year. His formation included a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Theological Studies, with academic focus on synodality and the life of the Church.

Ordained a priest in 2019, Fr Josh served at the Cathedral of St Stephen before being appointed to Caloundra Parish. He was entrusted with parish leadership as Administrator in 2022 prior to his appointment as Parish Priest.

Fr Josh regularly celebrates Mass on Channel 10 and Foxtel’s Mass for You at Home and is a familiar voice for many Australians who connect with the Church through broadcast worship. His pastoral approach emphasises hospitality, listening, and mission-focused engagement, particularly for those who feel distant from faith or parish life.

Outside of ministry, he enjoys time at the coast and is an avid surfer, valuing the balance, perspective, and presence found in the ocean.