This week is National Vocations Awareness Week. Catholic Outlook invited members of our faith communities to reflect on the joys of their varied vocations and some sound advice for those still discerning God’s call in their lives.
Deacon Roderick Pirotta
Pastoral Director at Sacred Heart Parish, Mt Druitt South
Permanent Deacon for five-and-a-half years
Catholic Outlook: Why did you decide to become a permanent deacon? What called you to this vocation?
Deacon Roderick Pirotta: The diaconate for me is a way how God has called me to serve. I truly believe that now more than ever, the Church needs deacons to serve others in this world to build God’s kingdom on earth and spread the Good News – the Word of God.
What would you say is the biggest joy in your vocation?
Seeing Jesus in those whom I serve, especially those who are sick, the mentally ill and all parishioners in the parish I have been entrusted to Pastor at Sacred Heart, Mount Druitt South. I feel serving in any liturgy but especially the Mass is always a privilege that I never take for granted. I feel very close to the Bishop when he is presiding at Mass and I am assisting him.
What is your favourite story from your vocational life?
There are many stories that I can narrate. I always say I can write a book. However, recently, a man came to me after the Sunday Mass, and approached me. I welcomed him by shaking his hand. “I never saw you here before. Welcome to our parish,” I greeted him. He replied that he saw my article in the Catholic Outlook some months ago and read what I was doing in this Parish. “I wanted to meet you. That is why I came.” “Finally,” he said, “The church is moving forward to have deacons in charge of a community.” I thanked him for his support and invited him to come back for a coffee. This really lifted me up and encouraged me in my vocation.
Who is your favourite saint/s? What impact have they had in your life?
St Ignatius of Loyola and the Ignatian Spirituality has always been part of my life, since my early childhood as in my village, we had the Jesuits Novitiate, a few metres away from my home in Malta. I still find his life inspiring. I can relate a lot with his teaching regarding the balance between mind and heart in making decisions. He has taught me how to pray and how to cope with my “down and dry periods” (desolations) throughout my spiritual life and ministry.
Have you received any great advice on your vocational journey?
I always listen to everyone and then somehow, I discern whether what people say applies to me or not, to improve my love to Christ and to others. A mantra that I have heard and adopted in last few days from a priest is: “We are too blessed to be stressed.”
What message would you have for young people discerning their vocation?
“Just jump in the sea and start swimming. God uses any gift you have. Never say: I am not worthy, because God uses the few crumbs of bread that we have and feed thousands of people with them.”
With the launch of the new Diocesan Pastoral plan, how do you in your vocation hope to strengthen communion, participation and mission in the Diocese?
Be available, offer my gifts, and listen more.
Read more about Deacon Roderick’s life and ministry in our ‘Cuppa with a Deacon’ from earlier this year.
If you wish to learn more about how you can discern your vocation, visit the Diocesan website.
Learn more about the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Parramatta.
