SPECIAL REPORT: Service to the Church expands with ordination of two Deacons
The ordination to the diaconate of Liam Ryan and Matteo Verdi took place on Friday 7 December at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.
By Amanda Murthy
“It takes time and patience to discern the true call of Christ.”
“Liam and Matteo are celebrated today for the generous choice that they made to take seriously and trustingly the path of service for the Church.”
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Liam Ryan responds to the call for ordination on Friday 7 December at St Mary’s Cathedral by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. Photo: Ron Tan. |
Matteo Verdi responds to the call for ordination on Friday 7 December at St Mary’s Cathedral by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. Photo: Ron Tan. |
These were the words of Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton who addressed the congregation during his homily at the ordination to the Diaconate of Redemptoris Mater Seminarians Liam Ryan and Matteo Verdi held at St Mary’s Cathedral on 7 December.
Concelebrating the ordination were priests from across the Archdiocese of Perth including Very Rev Peter Whitley VG, Redemptoris Mater Seminary Rector Fr Michael Moore SM, Fr Joe Pelle, Fr Giovanni Raffaele, Fr Geoff Aldous, Fr Luis Tijerino.
The ordination to the diaconate of Liam Ryan and Matteo Verdi took place on Friday 7 December at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.
The Ordination coincided with the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception [of the Blessed Virgin Mary,] beginning as such with the entrance hymn ‘Blessed Mary’.
In his homily, Bishop Sproxton explained that the Diaconate represents the foundational sacred ordination which consecrates a man to serve as just as Jesus did.
“Service is the foundation of ordained ministry and when this attitude of service is recognised in his ministry, that is, giving of oneself without counting the cost, then the Deacon, Priest and Bishop most clearly acts with the spirit of Christ,” Bishop Sproxton said.
“This humble service is the sign of the Holy Spirit present and at work in the sacred minister.”
Bishop Don Sproxton speaks to the congregation during the Ordination to the Diaconate of Liam Ryan and Matteo Verdi on Friday 7 December at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.
Bishop Sproxton said that as a Deacon, both men will have the responsibility to minister at the altar, to proclaim the Gospel, prepare the Sacrifice and distribute the Body and Blood of the Lord to the faithful, as well as to preach and teach the Good News of Jesus Christ, by presiding over public prayer, celebrating Baptisms and marriages, responding to the calls to take Viaticum to the dying, and conduct funerals.
These are ways, Bishop Sproxton said, that Deacons become an assurance for the people that God is near and loves them.
“Assurance is needed today, as it has always been needed.”
“Like each of us here this evening, Matteo and Liam came to a special moment when they had to choose the path to follow: the path of the Good Shepherd or another path and this choice is not easy,” Bishop Sproxton added.
Liam Ryan responds to the call for ordination on Friday 7 December at St Mary’s Cathedral by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. Photo: Ron Tan.
Describing the story of Eve when she was “brought to a moment of decision” while she was tempted by the devil in the Garden of Eden, Bishop Sproxton said that Eve’s faith in God’s goodness proved to be frail.
Bishop Sproxton explained that Eve chose independence and total autonomy over the relationship with God when she along with Adam decided to walk on another path.
“They discovered the path they chose was one filled with curses, and they experienced the feeling of rejection, of being alone and abandoned.”
However, there was a glimmer of hope provided by their loving God despite the punishment they received as a result from their turning away from God, Bishop Sproxton explains.
“The punishment was never absolute and there was always a possible future.”
Matteo Verdi responds to the call for ordination on Friday 7 December at St Mary’s Cathedral by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. Photo: Ron Tan.
Bishop Sproxton explained that the Ordination held on the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who is the Son of God, provides for us the opportunity to recall the first time the Good News was proclaimed.
“In the mystery of the Immaculate Conception, we acknowledge that the Virgin Mary, a descendant of the Woman Eve, is the one in whom God has fully restored his friendship prior to the establishment of salvation in her Son, the man-God.”
Redemptoris Mater Seminary Rector Fr Michael Moore SM, Deacon Liam Ryan, NCW catechist Domagoj, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Deacon Matteo Verdi and NCW national catechists, Toto and Rita Piccolo. Photo: Ron Tan.
The Ordination can serve as a sign of encouragement, that another choice is possible for each of us, Bishop Sproxton cited.
“It is possible to resume our walk on the path of life, because this is the desire of God and He will provide all that we need to trust in Him again, and believe in the strength to begin walking along His way.
“We can leave behind the path of curses - We can learn to love and forgive, and learn of the power of humble service that can create us anew,” Bishop Sproxton concluded.
A Livestream Video is available for those who were not available to attend by Clicking Here