The Catholic Church on 1st March blessed two new deacons at Holy Cross Cathedral after years of struggle and spiritual training at the Holy Name of Mary Seminary at Tenaru in east Honiara.
They were Deacon Joseph Tsoumate from Tangarare parish and Patson Malulu from Purepure village of Avuavau Parish in south Guadalcanal.
Speaking during his homily the main celebrant, Archbishop Christopher Michael Cardone (OP) welcomed the new deacons in the ministry of the deacon.
“I welcome you my two beloved brothers in the ministry of deacon, a footstep that brings you closer to become priests to serve God’s people,” the Archbishop said.
He also highlighted the nine words that the deacons have to follow to be good persons in the ministry of deacon.
“Deacons must be effective in action, gentle in ministry and constant in prayer,” the Archbishop said.
He said the word deacon comes from the word servant and to be a follower of Christ deacons should do their work effectively and actively.
Archbishop Cardone said in the ministry of deacon “you are call to work for world and communities and ready to meet the people daily and visit the sick and aged in the hospitals and homes.
He added to be effective in action means that the work of the deacon is not to relax but to involve in the ministries of the church and face action and make initiatives.
The church leader also encouraged the parishioners to spare time to pray for the deacons to strengthen their work in the communities and parishes.
He thanked the seminarian priests who administered the spiritual training institution at Holy Name of Mary seminary and relatives and supporters of the two ordained deacons for allowing the duo to take up their studies in the spiritual society.
Archbishop Cardone also thanked the parishioners and relatives for the preparation of the program and the liturgy groups for the beautiful songs sung during the celebration.
The deacons are expected to be ordained to the priesthood in December this year.
– By CAMILLUS KOLE
Catholic Press
