Unlike many priests today, who come to the priesthood after first embarking on another career, Fr Michael Gathuku’s journey began at school, and continued almost uninterrupted until he graduated from the seminary as a young man.
Despite this, he still describes his decision to become a priest as “surprising”.
“Looking back at my priestly journey I cannot really figure out one clear reason why I decided to become a priest,” he says.
As with many others discerning a path towards the priesthood, he had felt a deepening love of God and a strong desire to serve others. But now, more than 30 years after being ordained, he can see several important influences on his path.
Parish Priest Fr Michael Gathuku (left) leads Irene and Tony Donley to a special blessing during the during 50th anniversary celebrations of Our Lady of the Way Parish, Emu Plains, in May 2024. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Journey to the priesthood
Fr Michael hails from a small village in rural Kenya, about 350 kilometres from the capital Nairobi, where his parents were farmers. As a young boy he remembers plenty of home-grown food on the table and the guiding influence of his mother on his growing spiritual life. She taught him and his siblings how to pray, and “because of her, my decision to become a priest was not as hard”, he says.
But she wasn’t the only one that encouraged his priestly curiosity. Attending his local parish church, he was struck by the vestments worn by priests, and by their “humility and how they conducted themselves”.
This interest in the priesthood intensified after he joined the minor seminary for secondary school. By the time he had finished school, his journey as a priest had begun – one year of spiritual discernment followed, then the major seminary where he studied philosophy and theology.
After being ordained he became an assistant priest for two years before being assigned his own parish.
Fr Michael Gathuku. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
At home in the Diocese
Fr Michael first arrived in Australia in 2013 during a sabbatical year to do a course at the Marymount Mercy Centre, in Castle Hill. He returned to Kenya at the end of that year, but not for long.
He was back in Sydney the next year, after the then vicar for clergy, Fr Mick O’Callaghan, “challenged me to return and serve people here”. But he didn’t need much encouragement; his time in Australia had kindled a desire for new experiences. So, with the approval of then Bishop of Parramatta Anthony Fisher OP and his local bishop in Kenya, Fr Michael joined the Diocese of Parramatta.
He says as a migrant priest he feels at home in a diocese that is young, fast-growing and multicultural, led by a bishop who “makes this reality tangible”. And this brings energy to Our Lady of the Way Parish Emu Plains, where he has been Parish Priest for five years.
(L-R) Our Lady of the Way Parish Emu Plains Parish Priest Fr Michael Gathuku, Parish Secretary Joanne Hamilton, Sacramental Coordinator Cate Kensey and parishioner John Cowen. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
‘Out of a love for God’
Fr Michael says Emu Plains parish has a “warm, family-like spirit” where everyone feels supported and connected.
“Parishioners are humble, welcoming and committed to friendship, faith and service,” he says. “Many serve behind the scenes, quietly doing the setting up, providing hospitality, assisting in preparing the sacraments, among many other ministries.
“Members of the parish serve out of a love for God, rather than recognition.”
He says the highlight of his time in the Diocese so far has been the celebration of the parish’s 50th anniversary in 2024, which highlighted all these qualities. “The parish invites all to journey together in knowing, loving and serving the Lord.”
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.
