TWO new “heralds” of the Gospel of Christ were ordained into the transitional diaconate on June 15 at Holy Spirit Chapel, Banyo.
Bishop Brian Finnigan accepted Darrell Irvine and Lucius Edomobi, from Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary, Banyo, into the final phase before priesthood.
“Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are,” Bishop Finnigan said in the traditional way, after the investiture with the stole and dalmatic and at the Presentation of the Book of the Gospels on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practise what you teach.”
Seminary rector Monsignor Tony Randazzo praised both transitional deacons saying they were “mature, faith-filled men who desire to serve the people of God”.
Bishop Finnigan spoke about the Feast of the Sacred Heart and told those gathered that ministry in the Church had “a great deal to do with the affairs of the heart”.
“The deacon and priest must give witness to the great love of God through the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” he said.
Bishop Finnigan said both men “bring the rich history of their lives to their ministry” and assured them of the prayers of the archdiocese.
Msgr Randazzo expressed hope that “Darrell’s ordination will be the watershed for future vocations in the Diocese of Toowoomba”.
Deacon Irvine was born in New Zealand and was widowed in 1999.
He has two children and two grandchildren.
“Darrell’s career background spans many years in commerce and international shipping,” Msgr Randazzo said during the June 15 Mass.
“In 1999 his wife Elizabeth died from illness … (and) he then travelled to India to the mission of the Missionaries of Charity in the slums of Calcutta.
“He began his priestly formation in Auckland in 2001 and in 2003 returned to Calcutta.”
Deacon Irvine arrived in Queensland in 2008 and entered Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary in 2010 for Toowoomba diocese.
He spent a pastoral internship in Sunnybank and Acacia Ridge parishes and has now returned to serve in the parish of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Toowoomba.
Deacon Edomobi was born in Nigeria and is the youngest son of a family of eight children.
“Lucius began his formation in 2003 at Bigard Senior Seminary, Enugu,” Msgr Randazzo said.
“In August 2010 he arrived in Brisbane as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Brisbane.”
Other Nigerian seminarians and supporters present at the Mass added colourful voices and dance to the celebration.
Deacon Edomobi’s pastoral placements have included Clayfield, Birkdale and Redcliffe City parishes.
He would continue in Clayfield parish as a transitional deacon “as Brisbane is now his home”, Msgr Randazzo said.
“His (Deacon Edomobi’s) dedication is only topped by his strength of faith and character.”
