In every parish, priests are present at the moments that matter.
They welcome children through baptism, bring Christ to people through the sacraments, visit the sick, comfort the grieving, guide families, preach the Gospel and walk with communities.
But priests are not formed overnight.
Before a man can give his life in service to God’s people, he must first be formed through years of prayer, study, spiritual direction, pastoral experience and daily seminary life.
This year, the Bishop’s Good Works Appeal is supporting the Holy Spirit Seminary at Harris Park, where seminarians are preparing for priesthood in the Diocese of Parramatta.
Among them are recently ordained Deacons Paul Tran and Jeff Hood, whose journeys remind us that a vocation is never formed alone.
2025 Seminary Admission to Candidacy Mass. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
A vocation formed through faith and service
For Paul Tran, the journey began in Vietnam, where faith was lived simply and faithfully in his family home. His parents encouraged daily Mass, prayer and active involvement in parish life. Their example helped shape Paul’s early love for God and the Church.
As a young man, Paul found himself especially drawn to serving people who were vulnerable.
Those early encounters planted something deep in his heart. Paul began to sense that God was inviting him to give his life in service.
After years of discernment, including time in religious life, Paul began exploring a diocesan vocation. Hearing about Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv led him to the Diocese of Parramatta, and eventually to Holy Spirit Seminary.
Today, through seminary formation and pastoral placement, Paul is preparing to serve in a Diocese rich in culture, faith and diversity. He hopes to walk with people across communities, build bridges, and especially serve the vulnerable and marginalised.
His hope is to become “a good and compassionate pastor who lives among his people, journeys with them, cares for them, and leads them”.
Deacon Paul Tran. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Listening deeply to God’s call
Jeff Hood’s path to the priesthood also speaks powerfully of service, listening and trust in God’s timing.
Before entering seminary formation, Jeff spent many years as a psychologist, psychotherapist and teacher. He later became a spiritual director and lecturer in spirituality. His work brought him close to people experiencing struggle, isolation and despair.
“My earlier work contributed enormously to my formation for priesthood,” Jeff said. “It taught me to be self-reflective and self-aware, and to listen deeply with compassion and without judgment. I often met people on the margins, struggling with daily life and, at times, with great despair.”
Those experiences shaped Jeff’s understanding of priestly ministry. For him, a priest must be present “not simply being physically there, but being focused and available to the person I am encountering in the moment,” he said.
Jeff’s vocation is also a reminder that God’s call can unfold in unexpected ways and at different stages of life. Through prayer, spiritual direction and trust, Jeff came to see that God was inviting him to serve in a new way.
Deacon Jeff Hood. Image: Jazz Chalouhi/ three two one/ Diocese of Parramatta
Formation made possible by your support
This is the kind of formation the Bishop’s Good Works Appeal helps make possible.
Your support helps provide for the academic, pastoral and spiritual formation of seminarians at Holy Spirit Seminary. It helps sustain their studies, retreats, spiritual direction, accommodation, pastoral placements and the daily rhythm of formation that prepares them for priestly ministry.
A journey we share together
It also reminds our seminarians that they are not walking this journey alone.
Paul knows this deeply.
“I am formed not only in the seminary, but in the womb of the Diocese and of the Church,” he said. “Your prayers, support and generosity are a great help in forming us to become compassionate pastors.”
Deacon Jeff Hood with recently ordained Deacons Luke Huynh and Paul Tran. Image: Jazz Chalouhi / threetwoone.com.au
Jeff expresses the same gratitude in another way.
“Spreading the Gospel is a real team effort, and you are an important part of that team.”
As the Diocese of Parramatta turns 40, the Bishop’s Good Works Appeal is an opportunity to give thanks for the priests who have served our communities, and to help form the future priests our Diocese will need in the years ahead.
By supporting Holy Spirit Seminary, you are helping ensure that the people of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains will continue to be served by faithful, compassionate and courageous priests for generations to come.
For more information or to donate, visit parracatholic.org/appeal
This article was originally published in the 2026 June | Winter edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read it online here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
