By Amanda Murthy
The 2019 National Association of Deacons’ (NAD) Biennial National Conference, scheduled for 3 to 6 October at the University of Notre Dame Australia Fremantle Campus, will feature a personal testimonial sharing from Parramatta Diocese Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, on his inspiring story of his journey from Vietnam to Australia in the 70’s as a refugee.
Bishop Long is Australia’s first Asian-born bishop and the first Vietnamese-born bishop to head a diocese outside of Vietnam. The Franciscan priest is also the Australian Catholic Bishops Delegate for migrants and refugees.
Ordained in 1989, his first posting was to serve as Parish Priest at Kellyville’s Our Lady of the Rosary New South Wales for four years before returning to Melbourne to take up similar appointment at Springville for the next seven years.
In May 2011, Bishop Long was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, and then in May 2016, was elected Bishop of Parramatta under the direction of Pope Francis.
Held from 10am to 12pm on Thursday 3 October, the two-part pre-conference session will be conducted in an interview format, with opportunities for the attendees to ask questions during the latter part of the event.
This NAD Biennial National conference welcomes deacons, candidates and aspirants from Australia and New Zealand, of any Catholic rite, and their wives to gather, network, learn, and dialogue on a range of topics.
Some of the topics explored for this year’s conference include work life balance, conducted by Dr Steven Kiely and Dr Michael Newton and Annette Hoban and Hilary Kelly will speak about how wives support deacons and the impact of the diaconate on wives and families.
The other keynote speakers are Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders, Catholic Education Western Australia Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce, Archdiocese of Brisbane theologian cum Associate Professor Dcn Anthony Gooley, and Dcn Tony Hoban from the Diocese of Parramatta.
The speakers presenting will include WA Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Director Deacon Gregory Lowe, and Stella Maris Seafarers Centre Director Deacon Patrick Moore.
To Register for the National Association of Deacon’s Conference, go to Click Here