Nathan Webb and Brian Redondo ordained as priests in St Patrick’s Cathedral ceremony
Bishop Robert McGuckin ordained the two young men during a moving and inspiring ordination ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
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THE Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba has welcomed two new priests after an ordination ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday.
Before a packed cathedral, Bishop Robert McGuckin ordained Toowoomba born and bred Nathan Webb and recent resident Brian Redondo into the priesthood.
“Any ordination to the priesthood is something to be valued but to have two ordained on this day is truly wonderful,” Bishop McGuckin said.
“To have two young men ordained together is such a blessing for the diocese and I hope by this day other young people will be inspired.
“It was a beautiful ceremony and a great day.”
Two bishops, 50 priests and deacons and eight altar boys filled the altar during the ceremony.
Fr Webb will initially be based at St Patrick’s Cathedral while Fr Redondo will minister to the parishes of Warwick, Allora and Clifton.
A nurse by trade, Fr Redondo was working in a mental health facility when he entered the seminary for studies to the priesthood in his native Philippines before moving to Australia in 2019 and completing his studies at Banyo Seminary in Brisbane.
Fr Webb is a member of the well-known Toowoomba musical family and parents Paul and Fiona welcomed home all but one of their children for Saturday’s ceremony with Fr Nathan’s sister Nancy, now Sister Rose Patrick O’Connor, returning from the Sisters of Life convent in New York for the occasion.
“I’m proud and excited but it’s a little scary to think of the commitment to a life of service that Nathan has taken on,” Paul Webb said.
“It’s been very exciting to have Sr Rose back home and their mother is just glowing to have the kids back home.”
Another son, Isaac Webb, who has been studying at the San Lorenzo Seminary in California will take his first vows into the Capuchin Friars next month.
A very musical family, Fr Webb’s brother Peter took the role of musical director in charge of one of two choirs which performed at the ordination ceremony.
Peter with brothers Liam and James also formed a trio to sing a hymn during the ceremony.
Deacon Elouie Jimenez who assisted Bishop McGuckin during the ceremony will be ordained a priest by Archbishop Mark Coleridge during a ceremony in St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane on Wednesday evening.
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