The Perth Vocations Office is delighted to share the appointment of Fr Joseph Laundy as its new Vocations Director. Appointed by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Fr Joseph succeeds Fr Israel Quirit, who has recently completed his three-year tenure, providing guidance for and supporting members of our community discerning God’s call for their lives.
Fr Joseph is currently serving as the Vice Rector of St Charles Seminary and Chaplain to Catholic Youth Ministry Perth, and brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to his new role.
A Journey Rooted in Faith and Family
Image: Fr Joseph with St Charles Seminarians and Fr Francis Nguyen (Rector). Image credit: St Charles Seminary
Fr Joseph’s journey to the priesthood was in his own words “fairly unremarkable.” Born and raised in Perth, with significant time spent overseas, he hails from a large family of nine children, and his Catholic parents instilled a love of Christ and His Church.
“Most nights after dinner was a time to say the rosary as a family, sometimes, to be honest, to the chagrin of us kids,” said Fr Joseph.
Initially pursuing a career in laboratory science and later medical science, Fr Joseph felt a persistent call to the priesthood. This calling, nurtured through years of discernment with a spiritual director, led him to enter St Charles Seminary in 2012.
“We were immersed in Catholicism. It was part of the fabric of my family and growing up with friends who were Catholic was also part of our upbringing; I know it helped in our own faith development, and one that my parents deliberately and consciously instilled in us kids” said Fr Joseph.
Upon his ordination, alongside five other priests, Fr Joseph served in various capacities, including as chaplain to St John of God Murdoch Hospital, assistant priest at Mater Christi Parish in Yangebup, and chaplain to The University of Notre Dame Australia.
Despite his busy schedule, Fr Joseph finds joy in swimming, scuba diving, mountain biking, tending to his indoor plants, and reading while savoring a good scotch.
Enhancing support and focus for vocations
Image: St Charles Seminarians and Fr Francis Nguyen (Rector) and Fr Vincent Glynn (Vicar General) at Our Lady of Mercy (Girrawheen), where Fr Joseph concelebrated mass with parish priest, Fr Albert Saminedi. Image credit: St Charles Seminary.
In an opening address – found on the Perth Vocations Office website, Fr Joseph remarked, “As Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Perth, I welcome you to the heart of the Perth Vocations Office.”
“Vocations are at the core of the Church’s mission, a testament to God’s continuing call to His people. Whether it is a call to the priesthood, religious life, or dedicated lay ministry, each vocation enriches our faith communities and ensures the growth and vitality of the Church.”
Alongside his role working at St Charles Seminary as a formator, Fr Joseph said he is dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can freely discern God’s call.
“Together with the team at the Perth Vocations Office, and with our supportive committee, I am committed to supporting each and every one of you on your journey of discovery and providing the resources and guidance needed to respond to God’s invitation.”
From Medical Researcher to Clergy: God’s Call can happen anytime
Image: Fr Joseph’s ordination to the priesthood in 2017 at St Mary’s Cathedral. Credit: The Record, 30 November 2017 edition.
As a young man of 25, Fr Joseph left his job as a medical researcher at St John of God to travel the world before entering St Charles Seminary. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “The first inklings of priesthood came at around nine years of age while in his role as altar server at St Cecilia’s, Floreat.”
“I was gifted with a daily Missal at Easter which I treasured for many years, and I think that instilled within me the importance of ministry at the altar at an early age.”
“As I was about to embark on a career in medical science, I felt an “inkling” – a persisten thought – that just didn’t go away. That inkling was the idea of priesthood, which perhaps began during my early years as an altar server and regular Mass attendee.”
Fr Joseph said that once, in an experience during confession in his early 20s was a pivotal moment in his life.
“The priest after the confession, offered something I’d never heard about: spiritual direction,” he said.
“At first I didn’t have a clue what that meant or what we were going to talk about, but we met up for a session and continued it regularly for many years – I now see God’s providential hand in it because it was a chance to allow a good priest to be God’s instrument in my life,”
He credits having spiritual guidance for nearly three years for supporting his discernment journey. “Throughout this time, my scientific brain kept saying ‘I need proof and evidence,’ but as many of us know, that is not how faith works. There are no formulas or numbers to calculate faith because its basis is in trust.”
Fr Joseph fondly recalls his spiritual director advice: “He said, ‘Look Joe, God knocks at our heart, and we should not keep Him waiting as we don’t want to give Him sore knuckles.’ At that moment, I decided to take a leap of faith.”
An Invitation to Journey our Vocations Together
Image: Fr Joseph presided over an opening prayer at the 5 May 2024 Enquiry Day at St Charles Seminary. Image credit: Perth Vocations office.
Fr Joseph invites anyone discerning their vocation to reach out to the Perth Vocations Office. The office offers discernment retreats, vocation workshops, and one-on-one spiritual direction to assist in understanding and embracing God’s call.
“As we embark on this vocation journey together, I am inspired by the words of Pope John Paul II in his apostolic exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis: ‘I will give you shepherds after my own heart’ (Jeremiah 3:15). This profound promise reminds us of God’s unwavering commitment to providing shepherds for His people. It is our sacred duty to foster and nurture these vocations, ensuring that those called to serve can respond with joy and confidence,” said Fr Joseph.
“Finally, I would like to invite those reading this article and many others within and beyond our Catholic community, in praying for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life within our Archdiocese. Your support, prayers, and active participation are invaluable as we work together to nurture the seeds of vocations that God has planted among us.”
“I also invite anyone thinking about priesthood or religious life to get in touch – you never know where one conversation will lead you.”
