19 July 2022 · 2022-07 newsletter
Schoenstatt family celebrates the ordination of Fr. Nathan Webb
Mum and dad lifted the fabric and gently tugged it until it came over Nathan’s head and rested on his shoulders. They had done this a thousand times before… dressing their baby boy in jumpsuits, pulling on his jumper, combing his hair, tying his shoes… But this time was different; Today mum and dad were putting a chasuble on newly ordained Father Nathan Webb.
Fr. Nathan, 24, was ordained by Bishop Robert McGuckin alongside Fr. Brian Redondo in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Toowoomba on June 25th. His parents, Paul and Fiona Webb, helped him put on his vestments for the first time as part of the ordination ceremony.
Paul said it was a surreal moment. “I now call my son ‘Father’,” he said.
The Webb family has been part of the Schoenstatt movement for nearly 25 years since Paul and Fiona made their Covenant of Love in the Family Branch in 1998. Many of the children have since entered into the Covenant themselves. Fr. Nathan received the first inkling of a call to the priesthood at a young age and often played “priest and religious” dress-ups with his siblings.
Almost all his 11 siblings were able to come to the ordination, including some travelling from overseas. His brother Br. Isaac OFM Cap. was not able to be present but joined via livestream from the Capuchin novitiate in California.
His sister Sr. Rose Patrick, who professed first vows with the Sisters of Life last year, said she was grateful to be able to attend. “It’s one thing to see God working in the lives of people like Abraham, the Apostles, or Mother Teresa, but it’s something else to see God working in the life of your own little brother.
“I saw Fr. Nathan celebrate his first Mass and I witnessed God enter concrete reality and keep His loving promise.” “I can tell you God is good, and Fr. Nathan is fully alive.”
Fr. Nathan celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at Sacred Heart Parish in Toowoomba the day after his ordination. At the end of Mass, the parish presented him with the travel Mass kit belonging to the late Fr. James Byrne, who was the Parish Priest at Sacred Heart when Fr. Nathan was growing up. Fr. Byrne was a special inspiration and mentor for Fr. Nathan in his vocation.
Fr. Nathan also gave his parents a wooden box hand-carved by Br. Isaac. Inside the box, he placed the stole from his ordination Mass and the manutergium – the cloth used to wipe the excess oil from the priest’s hands during the ordination ceremony. The manutergium is traditionally wrapped around the mother’s hands at her burial, symbolizing the gift she has given back to God.
Fiona said there wasn’t a dry eye in the congregation. “I was crying, but it was happy tears. Each child is a gift and you just want them to flourish and to be the person God created them to be.”
Fr. Nathan will initially continue serving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He said he hopes to give back to the communities who inspired and supported his vocation.
“A vocation is not just for one person – it’s for the Church. I am grateful to see this church come alive today.”
Contributed by a few of Fr. Nathan’s siblings.
You may also enjoy an Article on 7 News https://fb.watch/e0zRFtDHBL/
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