On 21 September 2023, the Diocese was blessed with the ordination of Fr Tom Green, by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
One year on from his ordination, Catholic Outlook spoke with Fr Tom Green about some of the joys of his first year in ministry and how he is guiding his flock as the Lord’s shepherd.
Fr Tom is currently Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
How has your parish placement been over your first year as a priest?
I began my ministry at St Patrick’s Cathedral very shortly after my ordination last year. It has been a wonderful experience as I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in so many ways in the lives of Christ’s people. It has been a period of adjusting to the demands and the new reality of being a priest, but I’m feeling more and more settled as the months tick by.
What has been a highlight of your first year as a priest?
One highlight has been helping start a new young adults group here at the cathedral. Being able to help them and seeing new friendships form and their hearts become more open to Christ, even though it is still early, has been a great joy for me.
Fr Tom Green during his ordination to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
How has it felt being able to celebrate and consecrate the Eucharist?
It’s still surreal celebrating the Mass. However, I do feel like I’m closer to the Mystery as I say those very words of Jesus, “This is my Body…This is my Blood.” It is also a very humbling experience, doing so with the knowledge of my own weaknesses and imperfections.
How have you got through the challenges that you might have faced in your first year as a priest?
There but for the grace of God go I! The Lord has been a good and gentle guide over this time as I’ve been adjusting and as various challenges have surfaced. He also gives me good supports like my family, friends, mentors and my spiritual director, who are always of great help and always seem to offer me exactly what I need when I need it.
Fr John O’Neill, Parish Priest of St John Vianney Parish, Doonside, lays his hands over Tom Green during his ordination to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
In your pre-ordination interview, you said of your diaconal ministry that “it just felt right. It felt that I was meant to be doing what I was doing.” How has this feeling been confirmed over the last 12 months?
Now that I have been living the life that for so long I felt drawn to live, I have felt very much myself. I don’t think there is anything else I could do. It brings me joy to be able to help people come to know and love Jesus, and being that instrument of his, it seems, is exactly where I fit.
With the launch of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, how do you hope, in your ministry, to strengthen communion, participation and mission in the Church of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains?
I believe if I am faithful to my duties as a priest and live my vocation to the full, then the natural fruit will be stronger communion and greater participation and zeal for the mission of the Church in those to whom I minister. I have no plans, but seek simply to take whatever next step Jesus gives me.
Fr Tom Green (centre) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, and his family, during his ordination to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
What do you hope your second year of being a priest brings?
I’m not looking too far ahead, but I hope that one of the fruits of my second year will be that I feel even more settled into this new reality of being a priest. I would also like to see some new initiatives with Credo Youth and for this ministry to the young people really to take root and begin to flower.
Are you sick of the song ‘September’ by Earth, Wind and Fire?
How could you get sick of September?!
Learn more about discerning a vocation to the priesthood on our Diocesan website.
View images from Fr Tom’s ordination and images from his first Thanksgiving Mass.
