NEWLY-ordained Rockhampton priest Fr Peter Doherty says he feels God’s peace having taken his next step in his Christian life.
“I’m under no illusions that it will always be blue skies and sunny days, but I’ve learned on my Christian journey that God is present amidst it all, even if we often wonder what He’s up to,” he said.
“Whatever happens, to quote the Second Vatican Council, the joys and hopes, the griefs and anguishes, I know that God will be there in the midst of it all.
“I have a great sense of consolation that I am in the right place.”
Rockhampton Bishop Michael McCarthy ordained Fr Doherty at St Joseph’s Cathedral on February 22.
Fr Doherty said he was humbled to see so many people there supporting him and the diocese.
“There were many people from right across the Diocese of Rockhampton and all over Queensland who came – and some even beyond Queensland,” he said.
“It was great to see so many people come together to celebrate this next step for the diocese, and if I was the instrument for that, then that’s wonderful.”
Fr Doherty celebrated thanksgiving Masses at the cathedral, Holy Family, Our Lady Help of Christians, St Mary’s and Emmaus College in Rockhampton and then in Bundaberg, at St Patrick’s, Holy Rosary and Shalom College and was in Brisbane briefly for thanksgiving Masses at Holy Spirit Seminary and the Kedron Catholic Parish.
He said he was glad to have Fr Andrew Hogan alongside him for his first Mass, guiding him through it, helping him.
“It was certainly valid,” he said with a laugh. “I said the right words at the right times.”
He said there was a “poignancy to the moment, to be there presiding, and to be surrounded by many concelebrants, people who I looked up to for a long time and deeply respect”.
Fr Doherty will be placed in Gladstone parish starting the first week of May.
He says he is excited to get to know the local community and journey with them.
Being among the people, he said, was important to him.
Fr Doherty learned a lot during his diaconate, he said, especially on the practical side of celebrating sacraments.
He was blessed to get the chance to celebrate many weddings, baptisms and funerals.
Most of all, he learned that he was in the right place, living his Christian vocation through ordained life.
“I like to consider that this new priestly journey is really a continuation in a particular way of my Christian journey,” he said.
Across his life, he has had many priests he has looked up to.
“I admire priests who can articulate the Gospel with joy and humility, priests who are clearly happy in their ministry because that joy flows into their encounters,” he said.
“I also admire priests who have been open to whatever challenges come their way.
“When I look at priests who have gone to towns to serve communities they may not have been involved with previously and found it to be a joyful and life-giving experience, I’m in- spired.”
Some of the best advice he received came from the mother of former Holy Spirit Seminary Rector Monsignor John Grace.
“Msgr Grace once shared that when he expressed his desire to become a priest as a young man, his mother, Mary Grace, told him, ‘Well, if you can’t be a kind one, don’t bother.’”
Fr Doherty said many priests from his seminary cohort were spiritual grandchildren of Mary Grace in that sense.
“I also recognise that not only do I minister, but I’m still a person in need of ministry myself,” he said.
“I aim to be a companion on the journey, providing reassurance, encouragement, and leadership when needed, adjusting my approach based on the situation at hand.”
Fr Doherty is a reader – he loves philosophy and theology.
He says he would like to help people who had turned away from the faith see that there is a rich philosophical and theological tradition to the faith that can sometimes be missed.
“For me, the early writings of the then-Fr Joseph Ratzinger helped transition me from a childhood faith to a more adult understanding,” he said.
He said his books were instrumental in his faith.
“I wouldn’t be here without encountering his theology and understanding how to live that out in the world,” he said.
“I reached a point where I realised that I couldn’t just read Cardinal Ratzinger for the rest of my life; I needed to get involved in parish life,” he said.
“That’s where good theology leads us — into the space of community involvement.”
But he understood that there was no “one-size-fits-all” approach in evange- lisation.
Cardinal Ratzinger, he said, put it like this: “there as many paths to God as there are people”.
“I believe this applies to young people too,” he said.
“Many young people I’ve encountered have come to faith or rediscovered it through the gateway of philosophy.
“Philosophical questions about life have led them into theology and eventually into a Christian worshipping community.
“It would be helpful to ask young people about their thoughts, doubts, and questions rather than imposing solutions onto them.
“We’ve all been young people with doubts and questions, and it’s essential to start from where they are.”
Fr Doherty said he had a lot of people to thank who helped him in his upbringing, formation and ministry life.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who has prayerfully supported me, from the time I entered the seminary and even before,” he said.
“The encouragement and support I’ve received have been immense.”
For now, Fr Doherty is returning to the Diocese of Rockhampton and will be in Townsville for the priestly ordination of Deacon Will Brennan in mid-June and then back down to Brisbane again for the priestly ordination of Deacons Michael My Van Tran and Bradley Davies in late June.
