Deacon Brennan to prepare the way of the Lord

17 Dec 2012

By Robert Hiini

Happy Deacon Brennan Kee-Ong Sia, second from right, joins Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and priests from throughout the Archdioces of Perth in celebrating his ordination to the diaconate.

If each person has been created with a space in their heart that only God can fill, then it is the role of ordained ministers to help people realise that longing, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said at an ordination to the diaconate last Friday.

Archbishop Costelloe ordained St Charles seminarian Brennan Sia at St Mary MacKillop Church, Ballajura on December 7 in front of a congregation of family, friends, priests and seminarians.

Making reference to the liturgical season and the Archdiocese’ patronal feast of the Immaculate Conception, Archbishop Costelloe urged Mr Sia to “always retain something of an Advent flavour” in his life as an ordained minister.

“Like St John the Baptist…see yourself as someone who is called to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming in peoples lives. This, I think, is a special gift which deacons, bishops and priests are called to offer to the people of God,” the Archbishop said.

“God has already asked a lot of you Brennan and he will ask even more in the years to come. At times you might wonder whether you are up to the challenge; at times you might even think that God is just asking too much. At those times, and they will come, I encourage you to entrust yourself to the prayers of Mary,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

“She is the great woman of Advent who shows what it really means to welcome the Lord into our lives … She knew what it was to be afraid and unsure in the face of what God was asking of her but she also knew what it was to entrust herself to the Lord: “I am the servant of the Lord … let what you have said be done to me”.”

The night was also an opportunity, the Archbishop said, to thank all the people who had supported Mr Sia and who had taught him to “listen to the Lord’s voice”.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Archbishop Costelloe invited any man who felt inspired to investigate a priestly vocation, to speak to St Charles Seminary.

“You don’t need to sign up tonight, all you need to do is think about it, pray about it, and ask the Lord to lead you.”

The Archbishop invited all present to pray for vocations to the Religious life and the priesthood; especially for service in the Archdiocese of Perth.