St Raphael’s Parish, Cowra, recently welcomed newly ordained priest Fr Matthew Pinson sj and his family home for a special Mass of Thanksgiving.

The celebration was filled with faith, gratitude and cherished memories as the parish reflected on Fr Matthew’s journey from Baptism to priesthood.

Among those gathered was the parish’s most senior parishioner, Jean Mary Fagan, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Fr Matthew offered Jean Mary a special blessing, while Fr Thao presented her with a Papal Blessing and flowers in recognition of this remarkable milestone.

The evening also included several surprises for Fr Matthew. The parish choir sang a Christmas song he had written when he was just nine years old, and one of his former teachers shared memories of his childhood in Cowra.

Fr Matthew was also presented with a Mass kit to accompany him throughout his priestly ministry.

The celebration was a powerful reminder that a vocation is nurtured not only within an individual, but also through the faith, encouragement and prayers of family, parish, school and the wider community.

Following the Mass, Fr Matthew and his parents, Louise and David Pinson, expressed their gratitude to the parish for the warm welcome they received.

“St Raphael’s was a place of deep faith and warm community throughout our time living there. It still is,” Louise and David wrote. “Thank you for making us feel we always have a home among you.”

Fr Matthew also thanked the parish for the memorable homecoming.

“Thank you to you and the parish for such a warm welcome this weekend,” he wrote. “It was so lovely to feel the continuing care of a community that still rightly considers me one of their own.”

The parish expressed its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the beautiful and reverent liturgy and to those who prepared and served refreshments following the Mass.

For Fr Matthew, Cowra will always be home, and St Raphael’s will always remain his parish family.

May God bless Fr Matthew abundantly in his priestly ministry as he brings the love, hope and joy of Christ to all those he is called to serve.