My vocational journey to priesthood
Fr Simon Story
Mum was a strong influence on my faith from an early age and she still tries to be. Dad was always more interested in the sporting world and I have become a blend of both. I was born on 1 May 1970 in Waipukurau, raised in Waipawa at 73 Abbotsford Road, together with my two sisters and five brothers. Schooled at St Columba’s Primary in Waipawa and St John’s College, Hastings, I was an average student. Strong memories of home include repetitive swimming and sun-bathing, Mondaay night roast meals and cricket on the front lawn with the Couper family from up the road. Apparently first borne are more serious and responsible than their siblings – I was, still am. Planning my future from twelve or thirteen came naturally to me, although I was frequently undecided.
It was at age 14 I felt a strong sense of the call to life as priest. It did not sit easily with me but I was interested. The Marist priests at St John’s College made an impression. I watched and listened to them eagerly. I loved religious education classes. Faith seemed to me the most important thing; few of my class mates thought so. Unbeknown to me, Marcus Francis from my year was also considering a priestly vocation. On leaving home at 17, I was given a position in Palmerston North Hospital and trained as a medical laboratory technologist for five years. After losing interest in this I then worked on a farm at Great Barrier Island for two years. Then I spent four months at Southern Star Abbey in Kopua, Takapau, living the monastic life. The Cistercian monks there were and are still significant to me.
In 1996 I entered H
oly Cross College in Mosgiel to train as a Diocesan priest. In 1998 we relocated to Holy Cross Seminary in Ponsonby, Auckland. Ordained a priest on 9 February 2002 in the Waipawa Town Hall by Bishop Owen Dolan, I have served five years in New Plymouth as assistant priest and seven in Hastings where I became parish priest. I enjoy the everyday freedom priestly life brings and the beauty of the Gospel message means a lot to me.
I also enjoy trying to keep up with the B grade in the Ramblers Cycling Club, scuba diving holidays in the Pacific Islands and friends and family. Mum and Dad are retired and live in Napier. Their presence in Hawke’s Bay brings my brothers and sisters and their children here often.
The priestly life can make demands on me, so I try not to be weighed down by them but live in Christ’s peace. If I have a funeral in the morning, a wedding in the afternoon and a vigil Mass in the evening I will slow the in-between times down. I cannot hide parts of myself from everyone. I bring my whole self to priestly service so I have to be authentic and the trust people place in me is moving.
I’ve found the support and friendship of fellow priests restorative.
Fr Simon Story is parish priest at Sacred Heart Hastings.