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Diocesan Priesthood Testimonies Fr Andrew Keswick
Fr Andrew Keswick
Andrew was just a young boy when he first felt a call to the priesthood. He saw that the priest was the instrument through which the gift of the Eucharist is brought before us. The privilege of being a man through whom God acts in this most special way made a deep impression on his heart. This, along with the fact that the priest has a very special connection with the people to whom he ministered made Andrew want to share in this twofold relationship with God and his people. It was not long after that that Andrew expressed his desire to become a priest. He was only a young boy at the time. But the call and the desire were strong.
In the years following Andrew became a server at Mass. It was by ministering at the altar that Andrew grew in appreciation for the liturgy and the sacred office of the priesthood. Andrew felt at home on the sanctuary but without taking for granted the great privilege. He was also involved in parish activities, and as a young man was surrounded by an encouraging and supportive community.
Throughout his years in school, Andrew mostly kept to himself his interest in the priesthood: it was not exactly a common vocation! Nonetheless, Andrew did not hide his love of the Lord and of his Church. This proved to be challenging for him, especially when so many of his friends were either non-practicing or non-believers. Yet the call that he received in his very early years, while hidden, remained strong.
During year 12, Andrew attended a few inquiry days and met a number of young men who were also considering priestly life. It was very encouraging to know that he was not the only one thinking about priesthood, and that everyone had questions and sometimes doubts. The time just before entering the seminary was wrought with indecision and uncertainty. But the assurances and accompaniment of his parish priest and spiritual director, as well as family and friends, made the decision to enter the seminary easier for him.
It was soon after entering the seminary in February of 1999 that Andrew realized he had made the right choice. He could not have known that this was his path without actually taking these first steps of entering seminary. Fraternity in the seminary as well as a greater hunger for prayer were an important part of his new life. At the same time Andrew experienced challenges that helped him to grow both intellectually and spiritually. He spent five and a half years in the seminary in Melbourne, including one year spent on placement in a parish in the Archdiocese. He was then sent to Rome for higher studies in theology.
Andrew was ordained to the priesthood on 14 July 2007. As he looks back, Andrew is grateful for the support God provided for him through the kindness and prayers of family, friends, priests, seminarians and young people. The priestly life—like every life—includes sacrifices, but the happiness it has brought to Andrew has been immense. The priesthood is a tremendous gift, one that he hopes he can share with all the people he encounters and seeks to serve.
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