Deacon Tony Hoban, 21 December 2023
Deacon Tony Hoban is living his vocation to the full, working as Pastoral Director at St Luke’s, Marsden Park, Australia’s newest Catholic Church community on the north-western outskirts of Sydney. However, as he tells me, it has been “a bumpy road.” Tony started life in a traditional Catholic family, and even after leaving home, felt obligated to attend weekly Mass. Yet his marriage to Annette meant joining a family that felt ostracised from the church, and so they disengaged. Tony had the “hardest conversation” with his parents to tell them that he was leaving the church they loved.
For 10 years, Tony and his wife explored new age spirituality, while he built a career – originally in journalism, then PR, and later mainstream management. With a great job came great pay; they had a lovely home in a nice suburb for their growing family. Yet Tony felt “a tremendous sense of emptiness within me”. He discerned that it was a spiritual emptiness, and sought spiritual guidance. Putting it down to the Spirit’s work, Tony said, “a whole bunch of stuff started to happen.”
Although in public school, their oldest son bravely attended catechist classes and they wanted to send their younger twin girls to a Catholic high school. So their son’s catechist suggested doing sacramental formation with all three children at the family home. Although a little overwhelmed, Tony was inspired by her “powerful faith” and this helped him discern a return to the church.
So he sat Annette down, prepared for ridicule, but she said, “Yes, so am I.” In the 35 years of his married life, Tony recalls this as one of his “most cherished moments.” Not only that, it meant a joyful call home to tell his parents. Tony didn’t just return to sacramental life, he wanted to learn as much about the faith as possible. In his search, he soon came across the idea of married ordained deacons, and something was sparked. So, shortly after, he rang to tell his mother that he would also like to be a deacon. “Well, Anthony, you don’t do things by half!” was her reply.
After four years of formation, Tony was ordained for the Parramatta Diocese by Bishop Kevin Manning in 2009. His mother was very proud on his ordination day, but was soon to experience a recurrence of bowel cancer and passed away 9 months later. Her funeral was just the second one Tony assisted at as deacon.
Since then, he has had “a wonderful journey and done many things.” Always supported by Annette, he was fortunate to be appointed to his home parish, where his whole family was involved in parish ministries. Tony brought many skills to his role, after working for CatholicCare, St Vincent de Paul, Catholic Mission and the Australian Catholic University. For seven years he was diocesan Director of deacons in formation, and he is currently the Vicar for Deacons and chair of the Diaconate Council, as well as chair of the National Association of Deacons. Six years ago, Bishop Vincent Long asked if he would move to Marsden Park to start a new parochial district, and he has “seen it grow and flourish.”
Tony has also discovered a particular blessing in prison ministry. It was a call perhaps prompted by a childhood experience of befriending an indigenous boy who had been locked up in a prison cell behind his bedroom, when his father was the policeman at the residence. Tony realised that his fortunate life could have been so different, and that we “need to be on the lookout for those who don’t have the same luck of the draw.” Today, he considers that people in prison are some of the most marginalised in Australia, and statistically lack education, positive family backgrounds, secure housing and good mental health. Although a little daunted at first, Tony learned “from my prime mentor, Jesus, that I needed to go there.”
Initially, Tony led weekly communion services in a prison. When he began, he asked the men to read the Sunday readings, then gave a prepared reflection. Quickly, he realised that many only had the reading capacity of a primary-aged child. Yet they really wanted to have a go, to be involved. Tony welcomed them and did not judge. “It helped a marginalised community to praise God in that setting.”
In the past 6 years he has also been part of the ecumenical Kairos ministry at a nearby prison, where the team gives talks, provides good food, songs and testimonies to the men inside. The main message is: “You don’t need to be perfect to be Christian. We build a bond by being vulnerable with them.” After building trust, and forming the men to pray and share together, one of the “most beautiful things” is the ‘forgiveness ceremony’. The men write the names of people they want to forgive – including themselves – on rice paper. Then, in a bowl of warm water, the names are dissolved and “the hatred and anger and angst dissolves as well.” Tony has experienced many amazing transformations and miracles through this ministry.
This is one example of Tony’s experience of receiving more than he gives. As an ordained deacon, he is “an official and visible representative of the Church wherever I go.” While some people take on temporary ministries, the diaconate is a “significant step – a decision for life.” Even when he is attending a Roosters NRL game, he now feels the Christ in him urging him “not to yell abuse at the annoying fans of the opposition team!” Tony sees so much value in deacons, who are often married and older, as they “bring a wealth of life experience and skills into their vocation.” His ministry and preaching speak to people who live through similar challenges, especially as a parent and grandparent. He seeks to give people comfort in their life of faith and welcomes them warmly – “it is important never to close the door on anyone.” From his own life, he knows that an open door might lead some to explore and engage more with the church. Tony keeps talking about privilege – that it is a “privilege to encounter people on their occasional visits – like baptisms, weddings and funerals… It is a privilege to walk with people and relate to their struggles.” These, he says, are the gifts of the ordained diaconate. Thank you, Tony, for sharing your diaconal journey!
Liturgy on the Margins 
Great story!
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