Bishop Anthony Randazzo ordained Joseph Văn Tú Nguyễn, OSA to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ on Saturday, capping off a big year of ordinations for the Diocese.
Fr Tu was ordained at St Kieran’s Church, Manly Vale for the Order of Saint Augustine, and will now serve as a priest for the Parish of North Harbour.
He then celebrated his Thanksgiving Mass at 9:30am at St Kieran’s Church on Sunday morning.
In his homily during the ordination, on the Feast of Saint Ambrose, Bishop Anthony said Fr Tu would be entrusted with the same grace as had been entrusted with both Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine.
"Deacon Tu, today you are being entrusted with this same special grace," he said.
"Just as Ambrose’s words and life helped to lead Augustine to the fullness of the faith, so too, your words and actions, as a priest, will be instruments of God’s grace to bring others closer to Jesus Christ.
"Deacon Tu, as you are ordained to the priesthood today, you are not simply taking on a personal vocation; you are being drawn into the Body of Christ in a deeper way. The priesthood is not about individual achievement, but about service to the whole Body of Christ."
Fr Tu is from Vietnam and has completed his studies in Australia at the Catholic Institute of Sydney and the University of Notre Dame. He made his solemn profession in the Order of Saint Augustine in September 2023.
He was ordained a Deacon in early July by Bishop Anthony and has served in that role at North Harbour Parish since then.
Fr Tu spoke to BBNews in September and said the first few weeks of his ministry has been fulfilling.
“The first few weeks serving as a Deacon have been both challenging and fulfilling,” he said.
“Transitioning into this new role has required me to adapt quickly to new responsibilities and pastoral duties.
I have been deeply moved by the opportunity to serve the community in a more direct and impactful way, particularly through preaching, assisting at the Eucharist, and engaging in different ministries.”
Fr Tu’s ordination caps a big year of ordinations in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Deacon Rosan Mathew was ordained a transitional deacon in September and Fr Hien Vu was ordained a priest in August.
It’s expected there will be more ordinations next year, as more men respond to God’s call in their lives.
Bishop Anthony's full homily for the ordination can be read here.