By Jamie O’Brien
The lives of two brothers are about to make a historical impact on the Church in Perth with the ordination of two brothers to the diaconate next Friday, 7 November.
The brothers, Grant and Stephen Gorddard, who are originally from Bunbury, both entered St Charles’ Seminary in 2009 after a period of work and study.
Both men spoke of a rich family upbringing in the Catholic faith – which included attending Catholic schools and praying together with their family – parents Robert and Elaine, sister Vanessa and brother Craig.
“Growing up, our faith was always the most important thing in our home,” Grant said.
Thirty-eight-year-old Grant said that having a brother in the seminary with him has been a great source of encouragement and support.
“It’s a wonderful mystery of God’s providence that I’ve had the gift of my brother with me throughout my seminary formation, of being able to take this journey with him towards the priesthood.”
Grant’s vocation, he explained, is a gift of his entire life to Christ and the Church.
Prior to the seminary, he worked as a control systems engineer in various industries across Western Australia.
In 2005, he began his journey to the priesthood by heading to Melbourne to spend time with some religious communities to discern the possibility of a vocation in a religious community.
During this time, he also completed a Master of Theology at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family.
“With the help of a spiritual director in Melbourne, I eventually came to realise that God was calling me to the diocesan priesthood, so I applied for the seminary back in Perth.”
He then applied, unknowingly at the same time as his brother, to enter St Charles’ Seminary in 2009.
Looking forward to his vocation as a deacon and later as a priest, Grant says that he wants to help lead people to a personal, loving encounter with Jesus Christ, and then nurture that faith relationship with the love of the community of the Church.
“As a deacon, I see myself as Christ’s servant, as giving myself in service to those in need and in building up the Church,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to serving Christ and His Church here in the Archdiocese.”
Thirty-year-old Stephen said that, for him, entering into a life of service as a priest means a life for others.
“For me, the vocation to the priesthood corresponds to the deepest desires of my heart, desires which I think God put there,” Stephen said.
“It is a humbling calling, a gift which I am thankful for.”
Growing up as one of four children, Stephen spoke about the strong faith and values passed onto him by his parents – which he treasures to this day.
“Prayer was a part of daily life in the family from as early as I remember,” he said.
Prior to entering the seminary, Stephen had been studying Chemical Engineering and Management but left to discern his call to the priesthood.
During this time, he worked making custom orthotics for podiatrists while living an informal community life with other young Catholic men, growing in prayer and faith.
Stephen says that, ‘God willing’, and he is ordained a priest, he hopes that he can be a faithful witness and sign of Christ.
“I think there is a great challenge today for people to personally encounter Christ, and fall in love with Him in intimate friendship.
“Within this friendship with Christ, each person can discover God’s plan for our happiness and joy and how the teaching of the Church is truly good news,” he said.
The brothers will be ordained at St Mary’s Cathedral by Archbishop Costelloe next Friday, 7 November, at 7pm, together with four other seminarians from St Charles’ Seminary – Jeffey Casabuena, Simeon San, Garner Vergara, and Israel Quirit.