The journey to becoming a Catholic priest requires discernment, dedication, and a deep commitment to serving the Church and its community. The process involves several steps to help you discern your suitability for the priesthood and provide you with the necessary formation and training.
Discerning a Call to the Priesthood
We invite you to prayerfully consider whether the priesthood is a calling for you. We encourage you to seek guidance from your parish priest or a spiritual director, to attend discernment retreats and events, and to engage in discussions with priests and other members of the Church community.
The Diocesan Director of Priestly Vocations, Fr Galbert Albino, is your first point of contact. Fr Galbert is available to listen, offer guidance and talk you through the Parramatta’s four-step admissions process:
- Inquiry
- Discernment
- Aspirancy
- Recommendation and Acceptance
The Journey Towards Priesthood
The journey to becoming a Catholic priest is a lifelong commitment to spiritual growth, service, and dedication to the Church. It requires a deep love for God, a genuine desire to serve others, and a willingness to embrace the challenges and joys of the priestly vocation.
If you choose to formally apply to become a priest and you enter a period of formation and seminary study, you will spend time living in the community alongside other aspiring seminarians at the Holy Spirit Seminary.
The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. John Vianney
The Holy Spirit Seminary
The Holy Spirit Seminary is a small, vibrant and welcoming community where men from diverse backgrounds, who have been accepted by the Bishop of Parramatta for future priesthood in this Diocese, come together to to prepare for the priesthood. The seminary fosters a spirit of brotherhood and respect for individual differences. Seminarians are encouraged to share their unique perspectives and experiences, enriching the overall learning environment.
Seminarians live in a shared community residence on the seminary grounds. They enjoy meals together, engage in shared activities, and provide mutual support.
The seminary provides a comprehensive academic program that equips seminarians with a thorough understanding of Catholic theology, scripture, and pastoral ministry.
Spiritual formation is an integral part of the seminary experience. Seminarians are encouraged to develop their prayer lives, engage in regular spiritual direction, and participate in liturgical celebrations.
Seminarians also actively engage in pastoral experiences alongside experienced priests and mentors. They gain hands-on experience in various aspects of pastoral ministry, including parish visits, hospital chaplaincy, youth ministry, and community outreach. These experiences provide seminarians with the opportunity to apply their theological knowledge in real-world settings and develop their pastoral skills.
Fr Tom to speak with the 'I' of Christ
Do you remember the 21st night of September?
This date and opening lyrics to ‘September’ by 1970s band Earth, Wind and Fire, will forever hold a special place in the heart of the newest priest of the Diocese of Parramatta.
In front of family, friends and parishioners, Fr Tom Green was ordained to the presbyterate by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on Thursday 21 September 2023, the Feast of St Matthew.
The smile on Tom’s normally reserved face became wider and wider throughout the ordination, as he joined his brother Fr Jack Green as a servant in God’s vineyard.
Newly ordained priests to “go out into the deep” in their ministry
The ordination of three priests for the Catholic Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains is, says Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, “a sign of hope and renewal of God’s everlasting love for his people.”
As Bishop Vincent ordained Adam Carlow, Matthew Dimian and Jack Elkazzi to the priesthood on Thursday 2 February 2023, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, he was joined by hundreds of others, keen to show their support.
“The Diocese of Parramatta is the youngest and most culturally diverse diocese in Australia, so each ordination is a joyous occasion,” Bishop Vincent told the congregation.
Fr Andrew reflects on his first year in priestly ministry
In August 2022, the Diocese of Parramatta joyfully celebrated the ordination of its first priest since 2018.
Fr Andrew Rooney was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on Friday 26 August 2022.
One year on from his ordination, Catholic Outlook spoke with Fr Andrew about the joys of his first year in priestly ministry and how he is growing closer to Christ.
Cuppa With A Priest: Fr John Paul Escarlan
Fr John Paul Escarlan took up his first posting as Parish Priest at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills, only six months ago, but by then he was already a familiar face to many in the Diocese.
Since his ordination in 2013, Fr John Paul has served in several parishes – including as Assistant Priest at St Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish, Kenthurst, at the Parish of Richmond and at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta; a member of the Team Ministry at Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown; and Parish Administrator at St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park –and is currently the Filipino Chaplain Coordinator.
But his connection with the Diocese started even earlier, in 2006, when he arrived from the Philippines to complete his studies at the Holy Spirit Seminary (then called the Holy Spirit Formation Centre), where he spent five years.
Ordination class of 1983 still making a mark on the world
As they celebrated 40 years of priesthood on 20 August, Diocese of Parramatta priests Fr Chris de Souza, Fr John McSweeney and Fr Ian McGinnity took time to remember and reminisce about when and where their vocations began.
First meeting at St Columba’s Seminary at Springwood in early 1977, the three began their training and early priesthood before the Diocese of Parramatta had even been imagined and were originally ordained for the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Now, 40 years on, they regularly catch up with the other members of their graduating year, despite some members now living overseas. They celebrate their friendship and what Fr Chris describes as their ‘individuality’ whilst different, they are a very close group.
A cuppa with the priest: Fr Januario Pinto OCarm
Fr Januario (Janu) Pinto OCarm, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Wentworthville, has mastered the art of living in the moment. Over the course of our conversation, we return to this point, whether we are talking about his work as a priest, the upcoming Diocesan Synod or even advice for our young pilgrims about to head to Europe in the footsteps of the saints.
Originally from Timor-Leste, Fr Janu joined the Carmelites straight from school in 2004. He arrived in Australia in 2014 to continue his Theological studies at the Yarra Theological Union (YTU) in Melbourne after studying English at the Australian Catholic University.
His first parish placement was in Brisbane before arriving in Wentworthville as Assistant Parish Priest in 2021 in the middle of the pandemic lockdown. In December 2022, he was appointed Parish Priest.
