Vocation Stories: Fr Tony Gonoude

Our family had Mass celebrated at home for my late grandmother and at the Elevation of the Host I was struck. This is Jesus! From that moment, I wanted to be a priest.

I would often call into the church to pray on the way home from school and on the weekends. I became involved in my local parish and took great interest in the different priests there and how they exercised their ministry. Then as I finished school I went away from my faith. I qualified as an interior designer and painter and then became employed in a local medical devices plant. On a night out from work everything changed. We were badly beaten up. That night I prayed for the first time in a long time. It was at this moment I found my faith again. 

After this I answered the call deep within me and entered seminary. I met firm friends and had my mind opened to the beauty of faith. I was ordained Deacon in 2006 and a Priest in 2007. My first parish was Holy Family, Drogheda. I encountered many joys and tragedies and saw up close the wonderful work of the three primary schools in the parish. I was privileged to be appointed Chaplain to St Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda in 2010. This school was a busy but rewarding place for me to be a priest. I would care for the staff and students in their high moments, such as graduation day and their deepest sorrows when a member of the staff or a student passed away.

In 2014 I was appointed to Donore/Rossnaree Parish. I found my greatest joy as a priest working with the Parish Development Group to restore the two churches and the old parochial house. Training the many altar servers. Listening to the wonderful choirs and expanding the faith community there displayed to me the power of Christ to bring great peace to a community and to lead them to God.

In 2019 I became the Parish Priest of Ballynacargy/Sonna Parish. Again working with the schools here is a wonderful experience. We are embarking on the restoration of our two churches which everyone is excited about. My present appointment is a joy as the people here have made me feel very welcome. People love to come to me in their sickness, their fears and joys. I always see that as a wonderful privilege.

For me the Priesthood is an awesome calling that fills me with wonder every day.