A 25-YEAR journey was finally fulfilled for Anthony Gooley when he was ordained to the permanent diaconate on September 30 in St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane.
After many years working in Catholic schools and as a lay member of the Jamberoo Benedictine Abbey in NSW, he took the plunge last year to get more involved in the Church as an ordained minister and signed up to study for the permanent diaconate.
Deacon Gooley, 45, who works as a ministry development officer in Brisbane archdiocese’s Faith and Life vicariate, said his journey began as a young student in Lismore diocese.
By his side for his ordination were his wife, Shylaja, his two children, Meera and Liam, and family and friends, many of whom travelled from Lismore, Sydney where he worked for many years in Catholic education, and across Brisbane.
Brisbane Auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan concelebrated with archdiocesan diaconate director Fr Bill O’Shea, Holy Spirit Seminary spiritual director Fr Gerry Kalinowski, Kenmore parish priest Fr Neil Byrne, Brisbane archdiocesan Moderator Fr Peter Meneely, St Stephen’s Cathedral assistant priest Fr Ian Wren and Brisbane North East dean Fr Adrian Farrelly.
Two deacons, Peter Olsen from Ipswich and Peter McDade from Grovely, assisted and Anglican Bishop Jonathan Holland of Brisbane’s Northern Region was also present as a guest of Deacon Gooley.
Deacon Gooley will undertake a liturgical and sacramental role at the cathedral and will continue his duties as a ministry development officer in the Faith and Life vicariate.
