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June 24, 2007

Pastor's Perspective

Deacon Hoan Dinh will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Clark at 10:30am Saturday, June 30 in Sacred Heart Cathedral (296 Flower City Park).  You are all invited to come to the ordination of our new parish priest.  It is a wonderful celebration.  If you have never witnessed an ordination or not yet seen our newly renovated cathedral, I encourage you to come.

In part of the ordination Rite the bishop addresses the candidate for priesthood with these words:

My son, you are now to be advanced to the order of the presbyterate.  You must apply your energies to the duty of teaching in the name of Christ, the chief Teacher.  Share with all mankind the word of God you have received with joy.  Meditate on the law of God, believe what you read, teach what you believe, and put into practice what you teach.

Let the doctrine you teach be true nourishment for the people of God.  Let the example of your lives attract the followers of Christ, so that by word and action you may build up the house which is God’s Church.

In the same way you must carry out your mission of sanctifying in the power of Christ.  Your ministry will perfect the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful by uniting it to Christ’s sacrifice, the sacrifice which is offered sacramentally through your hands.  Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery you celebrate.  In the memorial of the Lord’s death and resurrection, make every effort to die to sin and to walk in the new life of Christ.

When you baptize, you will bring men and women into the people of God.  In the sacrament of penance, you will forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church.  With holy oil you will relieve and console the sick. You will celebrate the liturgy and offer thanks and praise to God throughout the day, praying not only for the people of God but for the whole world.  Remember that you are chosen from among God’s people and appointed to act for them in relation to God.  Do your part in the work of Christ the Priest with genuine joy and love, and attend to the concerns of Christ before your own.

Finally, conscious of sharing in the work of Christ, the Head and Shepherd of the Church, and united with the bishop and subject to him, seek to bring the faithful together into a unified family and to lead them effectively, through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, to God the Father.  Always remember the example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be served but to serve, and to seek out and rescue those who were lost.

Hoan we look forward to your ordination with great joy.  We pray that you will always know the tender care of the Good Shepherd and reflect that care in your priestly ministry among us.

Peace,
Fr. Chuck

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Last Updated on 06/29/07 at 19:29:36 130