The Holy Spirit is stirring up priestly vocations

Dear friends


As I write this short piece I’m preparing to travel down to the Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians, located at Marian Valley in the Gold Coast hinterlands. The reason for my trip is to serve as a deacon at the ordination mass of Br Joseph Maria Buckley OSSPE on 9 June 2018. Br Joseph is from Brisbane and a member of the Order of St. Paul the First Hermit. The main apostolate of this religious order, known as the Pauline Fathers, is to spread devotion to Our Lady. The Pauline’s are a semi-contemplative order that arrived in Australia in 1982 and have two shrines devoted to Mary; The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy (Penrose Park, NSW) and the shrine located at Marian Valley.

As I prepare for this great occasion I can’t help but think about my approaching ordination to the presbyterate. I also can’t help but prayerfully contemplate all the blessings I’ve received during my own diaconate spent in this great Parish. If you’re reading this newsletter you have had a role in my formation and journey to the priesthood and I thank God for your presence in my life.

This is indeed exciting news and confirmation that the Holy Spirit is stirring up priestly vocations in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. In the month of June this local church will have three new priests! Please pray for the newly ordained Fr Joseph Maria Buckley and all the Pauline Fathers at Marian Valley.
I also ask you for your prayers as I embark on my week-long preordination retreat starting this Sunday.

God bless
Deacon Tom

Newsletter

Top of the page