Melbourne, 29 November 2021 -- On Saturday 27 November, during the vigil Mass of the First Sunday of Advent, four Salesians, Kevin Fiame, Eteuati Milo, Joseph Huong and Duc Tran were ordained deacons by the Most Reverend Anthony Ireland, an auxiliary bishop of Melbourne. The Mass was celebrated at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Collingwood, near Melbourne’s city centre.
Since the deacons were born in Samoa and Vietnam, the celebration of the Eucharist was graced by their cultural singing and costume from their country men and women.
During the homily, Bishop Tony said “Your Rector Major wrote to the worldwide Congregation last December really emphasising that a Salesian priest in a parish is quite different from a Diocesan priest in a parish. Fr Angel wrote that the Salesian priest is not a generic priest. The same must apply to Salesian deacons. Your first vocation is as Salesians, as brothers in religious life. Throughout all your lives this must be your close up vision. It is through your Salesian vocation that you will live your diaconate and, in the future, your priesthood.”
The Mass was concelebrated by the Provincial of the Australia-Pacific Province, the Provincial Economer, the Dean of Studies, and many other Salesian priests. A large number of Salesian Sisters, Brothers and Family members also took part in this post-lockdown liturgy. Sadly, the Rector and Vice Provincial, Fr Peter Rankin, was unable to be present in person due to the battle he has with cancer at present. Prayers are earnestly asked for Fr Peter in this trial of his.
As Australia is entering into summer time, the four deacons will be assigned to Salesian parishes and youth centres in Sydney and in Adelaide as their summer apostolate where they will learn to be servants to the people of God.
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