The engaging clergyman took over the top job of the Anglican Parish of Christ Church in Essendon in January.

He came with a long list of experience.

He was a priest at Ararat Anglican Church for five years, but further back he worked as the school chaplain at Horsham College and Ballarat Grammar.

Father Mathes trained as a youth worker before studying theology and becoming a priest.

He speaks of being called by something higher to follow the path but he is unable to pinpoint the exact events.

"In the clergy we talk about a calling," he says.

"We get a sense of calling. I felt from a young age I was called by God to work in the church in some way.

"There was an inner belief and an inner touching that that was the direction I was going to go."

He presents Mass during the week and on Sundays.

The rest of the time he tries to get out into the community to meet and talk to people.

Asked about the differences between the country and metro Melbourne, Father Mathes says the city has people from different cultures whereas the country is largely populated by white Australians.

"It's very much white Australia [in the country] whereas when you come to the large city you have a lot more diversity and multiculturalism.

"It's about trying to understand and to talk and share and listen and attempt to get an understanding of how people have lived their life in the past and their dreams for the future."

Father Mathes says other differences between the city and country include the types of issues being dealt with. Grief, depression and loss are constants across any group of people, but in the country they may pray for things such as end to drought, he points out.

This Sunday, the Anglican Parish of Christ Church, Essendon, is inviting people to bring someone special who has lost touch with the church.

The event began in the UK in 2005 and has since spread to churches across the globe.