The joy of a new priesthood was celebrated with faith, gratitude and heartfelt warmth at the Holy Family Parish, Mt Druitt, recently as Jesuit priest Fr Matthew Pinson SJ celebrated his first Mass.
The special day brought together parishioners, family, friends and a large gathering of Jesuit priests who travelled from across Australia to concelebrate the Mass on Sunday, 9 August 2026, and support Fr Matthew on this significant occasion.
Among those present were Bishop Gregory O’Kelly SJ together with Fr Quyen Vu SJ, Provincial of the Australian Jesuits, and Fr Jose Magadia SJ, Jesuit General Assistant for Asia Pacific.
A journey through the storm
For Fr Matthew, returning to Mt Druitt to celebrate his first Mass carried a deep personal significance.
Fr Matthew first arrived at the parish more than a decade ago at the start of his novitiate. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
In his homily, he reflected on the storm in the day’s Gospel, when Peter steps out of the boat towards Jesus before becoming overwhelmed by the wind and waves.
The image brought Fr Matthew back to his own arrival in Mt Druitt more than a decade ago, when he came to begin his Jesuit novitiate.
He recalled travelling with his mother through the mountains on a stormy day before the clouds cleared as they reached the western suburbs.
His mother, Louise, remarked: “Your novitiate might be like that. Stormy for a while, but then the sun comes out.”
At the time, Fr Matthew admitted he was not convinced. Yet, looking back, he wondered whether his mother understood something of what religious life would bring.
Fr Matthew with his parents, David and Louise Pinson. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
The early years of his vocation were not without difficulties. Adjusting to community life, a demanding daily schedule and a life very different from his previous studies and plans sometimes left him questioning whether he was truly called to religious life.
But during one particularly difficult period, something happened that would help change the course of his vocation.
The faith that held him up
Fr Matthew recalled attending a diocesan youth gathering with young people from Holy Family Parish. On the journey home, one of the young people began singing.
Soon, the bus was filled with the voices of young people praising God.
“I knew right at that moment,” Fr Matthew said. “I saw how much the young people of this parish wanted to know God’s love and to respond to it.”
Fr Matthew Pinson with Bishop Gregory O’Kelly SJ (second from right), Fr Quyen VU SJ, Provincial of the Australian Jesuits (second from left) and parishioners of Holy Family Mt Druitt Parish. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
Their faith became, for him, a sign of God’s presence.
“I knew in my heart that these young people’s desire for God was so great that even if there was just a chance I might be called to serve them and people like them, I needed to give it my very best shot.”
Reflecting on Peter crying out, “Lord, save me,” Fr Matthew said that, for him, the hand of Jesus reaching into the storm was found through the faith and voices of the young people of Holy Family.
He reminded parishioners that they, too, can become that hand of Jesus for others.
“With the witness of your faith, your loving care, your friendship, you can be that hand in Jesus, holding them secure until the winds die down,” he said.
A warm welcome home
Opening the celebration, Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson Marissa Logronio welcomed Fr Matthew and his family on behalf of Parish Priest Fr Cao Nguyen SJ, Assistant Parish Priest Fr Renato Zecchin SJ, Fr Green, Pastoral Associate Sr Carlene Allen, the Pastoral Council and the wider parish community.
Parishioners of Holy Family Mt Druitt after the Mass. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
“It gives me great joy and privilege to warmly welcome each one of you and join Father Matthew as he celebrates his first Mass here with us,” Marissa said.
She offered a special welcome to Fr Matthew’s parents, David and Louise, as well as his family members and invited guests.
“Father Matthew, we are deeply grateful that you have chosen to share this very special occasion here in our parish,” she said.
Fr Cao also welcomed the many priests and visitors gathered for the celebration, inviting the congregation to join together in welcoming Fr Matthew and his family with applause.
“Beyond words”
For Fr Matthew’s parents, David and Louise, witnessing their son celebrate Mass for the first time was an emotional and deeply joyful moment.
Parishioners during the Mass. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
Louise described the celebration as “the most beautiful ceremony”, adding that she had been especially touched by the warmth of the Mt Druitt community.
“The singing and the harmony…in the whole parish, is so visible and real,” she said.
She also reflected on the emotion of seeing her son celebrate Mass for the first time, sharing how deeply the moment affected her husband, David.
“It just suddenly struck him that it would be our son saying Mass,” she said. “That’s sort of a bit overwhelming, really. But it was lovely.”
For David, the moment was even harder to put into words.
“I’m very proud beyond words,” he said. “It’s very moving to see our son celebrating Mass.”
Clergy from all over Australia gathered for the Mass. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
Fr Matthew’s aunt, Irene Reed, shared the family’s joy, describing him as “a very special man” and saying she was “really proud of him”.
From the altar to the table
For Fr Matthew himself, however, the day was ultimately about more than his own journey.
“The strongest impression is the joy at celebrating this with the community,” he said after Mass. “Both at the ordination yesterday and my first Mass today, I was really clear that this is the work of God in God’s people.”
Following the Mass, the celebration continued with food, friendship and fellowship as parishioners gathered to mark this significant milestone in Fr Matthew’s priestly journey.
“This is the work of God in God’s people,” Fr Matthew said. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
He also had the opportunity to offer his first priestly blessings, sharing a personal moment of prayer and gratitude with those who had gathered to celebrate with him.
As the community then gathered around the table, the day offered a beautiful reflection of Fr Matthew’s own journey: a celebration of faith, community and the many people God places in our lives to help us recognise His presence – even in the midst of the storms.
This celebration aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer, Mission, and Community. Visit Synodality to learn more.
View the photo gallery for more images from the day.
