The Diocese of Parramatta’s newest intake of liturgical ministers have been commissioned at a Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral.
On Thursday 13 June, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, commissioned more than 120 Ministers of the Word, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Ministers of the Altar during Mass at the cathedral in Parramatta.
This commissioning allows lay people to support the ordained ministers in their parishes, during Mass and other liturgical events. Ministers were commissioned after completing the Diocese’s Liturgical Ministry Formation Course, run by the Office for Worship, over the last 12 months.
The Church is alive
In his homily, Bishop Vincent said it was a “great joy” to commission the newest liturgical ministers from the Diocese. “It is a sign that the Church is alive,” he said.
“This is the essence of the synodal Church: that all of its members are called to be active subjects of evangelisation, and missionary disciples. Each member is to exercise the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given for the good of the whole Body of Christ.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, speaks during the Liturgical Ministers Commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“As liturgical ministers, Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel are especially pertinent to you.
“‘Give them something to eat yourselves’ is the command to draw people to the heart and summit of Christian worship.
RELATED: Bishop Vincent’s Homily from the 2024 Liturgical Ministers Commissioning Mass
“This command is fulfilled in the way you give Eucharistic love to others, in the way you minister with Christlike humility, dedication and pathos. Just as the poor and hungry are fed, the Church today must bring nourishment to those in need of it.
“May the quality of your discipleship shine through the way you serve. We pray that you may be ambassadors of God’s mercy and the faces of the Church that we believe in.
“Your ministries around the altar and among the community will convey to others the strengthening and healing power of God.
“May the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, inspire us to be servants of the community and of one another, especially the least of our brothers and sisters,” Bishop Vincent said.
Venetia, Minister of the Word being commissioned during the Liturgical Ministers Commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Connecting with community
Venetia, from St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill, dedicated her commissioning as Minister of the Word to her grandparents, particularly her late grandfather, as his spirituality helped begin her journey of faith, which she hopes to share with her community.
“It’s a blessing to be a representative for God in our community, and to share the Word of God, His words to those around me, from family to friends and the community as well,” she said.
“As I learn, I can also share that experience with others, for those who may not believe or may be shaky in their belief, and to assist them along the way.”
Tom, Extraordinary Minister of Communion poses for a photograph with his mother and Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, following the Liturgical Ministers Commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Finding faith through ministry
For Tom, being commissioned as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion added a whole new meaning to finding his faith.
“My father passed away in 2019, and that’s when I found my faith,” he said. “While I was at church a lady said to me, ‘have you tried doing the reading for the church?’ So, I thought, I’ll explore that.
“I learned a lot; a lot more than I knew existed. I actually learned what communion was, believe it or not. I didn’t realise the importance of that before I did the course. Now I understand what it all means. I learned a lot about my own faith that I had for 50 years, but only discovered in 2019.”
Through the Liturgical Ministry Course, Tom hopes that he may inspire others to join, saying the course was fun and helped him in finding a sense of community at his local parish at Our Lady of Lourdes, Seven Hills.
“I didn’t realise I was going to find so much peace in doing this,” he said.
Veronica, Minister of the Altar poses for a photograph with her daughter and Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, following the Liturgical Ministers Commissioning Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
First female minister in her parish
Veronica, from St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills, is the first female Minister of the Altar for her parish. She has been involved in her parish for several years and become Head of Mission at CathWest Innovation College, Mt Druitt, in that time. She said feeling moved by the Holy Spirit had led her into the role “to support everybody as best I can”.
She hopes being the first female minister at the altar for her parish will inspire girls and other women to move through the ministry. “Being able to support my Parish Priest and being able to also [help] my school, shows that ‘hang on, this is something big, this is a big deal’. Anyone can step into this role if they’ve got the faith and if they feel moved to.”
“Especially now that we’re revisiting the Gospel and really looking at what was happening in the early church and saying, ‘well, women did have a role. Yeah, we were there. We weren’t just behind the twelve [Apostles], we were part of the twelve’.”
The Liturgical Ministries Formation Courses start again in September 2024. To find out more about registration, please click here.
To view images from the Liturgical Ministers Commissioning Mass, please click here.
