The pews of St Patrick’s Cathedral were brimming with family, friends, clergy, and members of the community; all gathered in joyful witness to the ordination of Menard Gaspi on 21 November 2024, the newest priest of the Diocese of Parramatta.
The hymns of the St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir echoed through the cathedral for the Ordination Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, and was joined by Emeritus Bishop of Broken Bay, Bishop David Walker and more than 50 priests from the dioceses of Parramatta, Sydney, Broken Bay and beyond.
Menard’s fellow seminarians from the Holy Spirit Seminary in Harris Park were among the servers during the Mass, and over 700 people watched online.
In his homily, Bishop Vincent said it was with great joy that the community had come together “as a household of faith in Jesus Christ” to celebrate the ordination of Menard to the presbyterate.
“We join the Gaspi family in commending their beloved son, brother and uncle to God, whose grace will continue to configure him into an alter Christus – a Christ who came to serve and not be served,” Bishop Vincent said.
“The priesthood that Menard is about to enter is an honour and a privilege; but it is first and foremost a ministry of prayer and loving service in the manner of Jesus Christ himself.”
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv during his homily at the Ordination Mass of Menard Gaspi. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Bishop Vincent shared how Menard began his vocational journey as a member of the Oblate Apostles of the Two Hearts – a missionary order of men in the Catholic Church.
“I met him and his brother many years ago in Melbourne, always donned in a black habit, hands joined and seemingly ready to levitate out of this bad world,” Bishop Vincent said.
“Those years of youthful zeal and burning enthusiasm have been tempered with time for deeper reflection, interiority and immersion with God’s people, especially those on the peripheries of life.”
Bishop Vincent shared how Menard was sent to Santa Teresa Mission near Alice Springs during his formation. “He not only survived but thrived among our remote Indigenous brothers and sisters,” he said.
Bishop Vincent highlighted the essential qualities that priests must embody, both in the present and in the years to come.
Fr Menard Gaspi during his Ordination Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“The priests we need for the third millennium must be servant leaders, ready to listen, accompany and share the burdens of others, not only those inside the tent but also those outside as well,” he said.
Bishop Vincent said to Menard, “In the words of St Paul, you are being made into God’s new creation.
“We pray that Christ’s self-sacrificial love, which you will celebrate daily at the altar, will nourish and strengthen you on a new phase of the journey.
“May Mary who was not only the mother of Jesus in the biological sense, but even more so in terms of her faithful and courageous disciples, inspire you to be servant of the kingdom, witness to the Gospel and instrument of God’s mercy.”
During his thanksgiving speech, Menard explained why he chose the Diocese of Parramatta.
“When I left religious life and was discerning a diocesan priesthood … I was ready to join Sydney Archdiocese, and someone asked me ‘What about Parramatta?’
“I remembered the unconventional, unusual nature of our cathedral and the trailblazing nature of our cathedral.
“I said, ‘Parramatta, how do you even get ordained in that cathedral?’ Well, here I am, and now I know.”
Menard gave thanks to God, the priests seminarians, family and friends – those living and passed – who have helped guide, share and support his 19-year vocational journey.
Fr Menard Gaspi delivering his note of gratitude. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“I’d like to thank Almighty Father for His love and generosity and kindness and mercy to me throughout my journey that He has called me to be a priest of our Lord Jesus Christ and father. I’m so grateful.
“I want to thank Bishop Vincent for accepting me into your Diocese and thank you for your fatherhood and for your guidance.
“I ask you please to continue to pray for our current seminarians. Pray for the priesthood as well as for vocations to follow Christ, the Good Shepherd.”
A faith-filled family
Menard’s journey to priesthood did not come by accident. One could say his formation began at birth, as he was raised by devoted Catholic parents within a faith-filled family.
Menard’s father Michael doesn’t consider himself lucky or proud, but “blessed”. Michael said faith has always been strong in his family, and he has tried to lead by example, by actively participating as a catechist for 15 years, a parishioner and as the member of a prayer group called the Disciples of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Fr Menard Gaspi embracing his family. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“Our way of life is always with God and helping the poor and doing all the prayers and things like that, and that’s really made it to the point where this is it – our son, who has followed our religious examples and beliefs – and now he’s even more than us.
“I thank God for this. My wife and I were so blessed. Yes, hallelujah. Amen.”
Menard’s mother Eleanor tried to hold back tears on the day, to no avail. She too felt blessed that Menard had chosen priesthood, and always knew he would.
“When he was two, I asked Menard, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and he said ‘pweesh’.
“I knew he was trying to say ‘priest’ and I took a photo of him that day – I still have that photo in a frame,” Eleanor said through tears.
Fr Menard Gaspi giving his first blessing in the
Cathedral Chapel to his father. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
But it wasn’t an easy journey for Menard. After about 13 years as a missionary in the Philippines, Menard decided in 2018 it was time to come home.
“He called me one day and said, ‘I want to come home … I want to continue in Sydney’,” Eleanor said.
“It was a struggle for him after all his studies … he had to go through a lot of sacrifices,” Eleanor said. “But he kept saying to us, ‘I’m very serious about my vocation’.”
For her son Menard, she said, “We’re always here for you”.
“You know we’re always here for you, and you know that we love you so much, and we’re here to support you right through. “When you get your own parish … give us a room!” she laughed. “That way we can be with you all the time.”
Gayla Daly, Menard’s sister, said she was proud of his journey , “it’s actually been a lifelong dream of his”.
Gayla said Menard’s knack for engaging with young people is something she thinks he will excel at as a young priest.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv with Fr Menard Gaspi and his extended family. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“We need more youth to come back to the faith, and he will ignite the Holy Spirit,” she said.
Reflections on Menard’s journey to priesthood
Joseph, a first-year seminarian, travelled all the way from Corpus Christi College in Melbourne to witness his friend of more than 14 years become a priest.
“I call him ‘Kuya’ (Samoan) because he’s an older brother of mine,” Joseph said.
“He’s a very pastoral man. He knows when to speak to someone … and when not to speak as well,” he said.
“And he’s very prayerful.”
Joseph said Menard’s ordination to priesthood was “motivational”.
“I see him strive constantly. Whatever setback he’s faced, he’s always pushed through – with God’s grace of course.”
Ha Tran, a sixth-year seminarian at Good Shepherd Seminary in Homebush, met Menard in his first year of seminary studies.
“The first time I met Menard I said ‘Hi Father’ because he looked quite mature,” Ha said.
“Menard has a gift of helping people with activities, and one time we celebrated St Patrick’s Day, and Menard created some games for all seminarians to play – it was quite interesting and helped me enjoy life in seminary,” he said.
Tijana, a team leader at St John XXIII Parish Stanhope Gardens said Menard’s ordination was “inspiring”.
“It was absolutely beautiful, so nice and special to see Menard finally becoming a priest.
“I’m one of the leaders at the church, and he worked really closely with myself and the team. … He pushes us all the time. But it’s so worth it. It’s so rewarding, and he’s amazing,” Tijana said.
Joshua, a Year 8 student from St John XXIII, said he’d never been to an ordination before. “Menard was our Deacon for some time so it was nice to watch it.”
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv embraces Fr Menard Gaspi. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Many other people attending offered words of support for Menard as he commenced a new chapter in his life.
“He’s a very loving and caring person, and very humble … He always smiles, and would always hold your hand in the Filipino way as a sign of respect.”
“It is indeed a great pleasure to have a priest coming from Bossley Park. To have a classmate from your child’s school … it’s like your son.”
- Cora, mother of a former classmate from Freeman College.
“He’s so family oriented. I can see his interactions with his nieces and nephews. He’s also a great person to talk to in the sense of being very positive, very spiritual, very happy.”
– Family friend
“He was a good seminarian and a good brother to us. I wish him all the best in his vocation, and to continue in whatever God is calling him to serve.”
- Franz (former seminarian)
“I have tremendous gratitude for his ‘yes’ to this way of life, to be called – not many are called – and even fewer have the courage to say ‘yes’ and give their lives to God in this way.”
- Sr Olivia, Mt Schoenstatt Mulgoa
“I’m so proud of him, because he’s been a seminarian for so long … and with all his perseverance and all the trials and difficulties, he made it.
“Happy to call him ‘Father’. We used to call him brother, now it’s Father.”
- Jema Montoya, family friend.
“All the best and God bless you.”
- Maria Perez, friend.
Fr Menard gave first blessings to those who attended on the night. His first Mass of Thanksgiving was held at Mary Immaculate Parish Bossley Park on 22 November, and Fr Menard also celebrated Christ the King at St John XXIII Stanhope Gardens.
Please continue to pray for Menard and all our priests. Read more about Fr Menard’s journey to priesthood.
View the photos of Menard’s Ordination at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta and his Thanksgiving Mass at Mary Immaculate Parish Bossley Park.
If you wish to learn more about how you can discern your vocation, visit the Diocesan website.
If you are a young man discerning your calling to the priesthood, contact Fr Galbert on (02) 4773 4321 or send him an email.
