TOOWOOMBA Bishop Robert McGuckin celebrated a Mass for nine seminarians who took their next steps towards priesthood at Holy Spirit Chapel, Banyo, on September 17.
Bishop McGuckin instituted five men to the ministry of lector and four to the ministry of acolyte.
Seminary formation director Fr Frank Jones said it was fantastic to see the seminarians taking their next steps in discernment towards reception of Holy Orders.
The ministries of lector and acolyte were significant and positive steps towards discernment of priesthood, he said.
The five men instituted to the ministry of lector were Peter Doherty of Rockhampton, BJ Perrett and Dominic Jayasuriya of Toowoomba, and Michael Tran and Sang Duc Bui of Brisbane.
Lectors – the first of the two ministries – have the role of proclaiming the Word of God, except for the Gospel, during the Mass.
“We want them (the seminarians) on their journey to the priesthood, to meditate on and deepen their love for the Word of God,” Fr Jones said, “and that they make every effort to live with love and knowledge of the Scripture.”
Four men, who had already received the ministry of lector earlier in their formation, were instituted to the ministry of acolyte – Matthew Popovic, Thomas Popovic and Bradley Davies of Brisbane, and William Brennan of Townsville.
Acolytes were responsible for helping the deacon and priest during liturgical celebrations, especially the Mass, Fr Jones said.
He said acolytes also distributed Holy Communion as an Extraordinary Minister and were entrusted with other duties like exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration.
“It’s really so that it increases and deepens his love and knowledge and devotion of the Holy Eucharist and the Mass,” he said.
