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New Sydney deacon ready to serve

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Deacon Joseph Murphy receives the Gospels from Bishop Richard Umbers. PHOTO: Giovanni Portelli

Newly-ordained Deacon Joseph Murphy says the calling towards priesthood is something he’s felt since childhood.

“It’s ultimately a calling from God. It’s something that was with me throughout childhood and adolescence, that attraction to the priesthood. It was something that wasn’t going away,” he told The Catholic Weekly.

The 27 year-old was ordained to the diaconate for the Sydney Archdiocese on 1 December at Sacred Heart Parish in Mosman, where he has been working since July this year.

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Joseph Murphy lies prostrate during the Mass of Ordination to the Diaconate. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok

He says he was nervous but excited prior to his ordination Mass which was presided over by Bishop Richard Umbers.

“It’s a fairly big thing and I get nervous before big events but once you’re there you settle in quickly. It was pretty amazing.”

Con-celebrating the Mass were two priests who had been ordained just the night before for the Parramatta Diocese – Chris del Rosario and Jack Green.

The moment of ordination. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok

Deacon Murphy was born in Brisbane and moved to Sydney with his family at age 13. Prior to entering the seminary in 2012 at age 20, he was a parishioner at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Rouse Hill. His family were “thrilled” following his ordination to the diaconate.

Deacon Murphy says he is looking forward to being able to administer the sacraments when he is eventually ordained to the priesthood.

Newly-ordained Deacon Joseph Murphy, second from right, with newly-ordained priests, Fr Jack Green, far left, and Fr Chris Del Rosario, far right, and Deacon Ronnie Maree, second from left. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok

“That’s the ultimate reason why anyone is attracted to the priesthood. I feel particularly attracted to the Sacrament of Confession. Hearing confessions is something I’m quite looking forward to.

“For myself there have been many times in my life that I’ve needed the Lord’s mercy and I’m looking forward to being able to give that to other people after priestly ordination.”

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