STORY - "The Spirit of the Lord has been given to them"
By Tracey Edstein
Preaching at the ordination of three men at Sacred Heart Cathedral in December, Bishop Michael Malone highlighted the “rather extraordinary journeys” which led them to embrace priesthood.

Concelebrating with Bishop Michael were Cardinal Cassidy, Bishops Leo Clarke and Julian Porteous, rector of Good Shepherd Seminary, Homebush, and the priests and deacons of the diocese.

As Bishop Michael recounted, each man had a variety of life experiences before articulating an interest in the ordained ministry.
John Alexander, 46, enlisted in the Navy, then spent many years as a member of the Confraternity of Christ the Priest, where he developed a variety of practical and pastoral skills.

Tim Ellicott was a builder. As Bishop Michael said, “I overheard the comment, ‘Tim worked on my house.’ Now he will be building
communio.”

After completing theological studies, Tony Potts spent several years teaching in diocesan secondary schools. After encountering students and colleagues who said, “You should be a priest!” he decided that maybe they were right.

As Bishop Michael said of the three, “Each is conscious of the pressures on priests, and the church, today. Each is aware of adverse publicity. Despite all this, they are publicly prepared to embrace the life of a priest with commitment and passion. In the words
of Peter at the Transfi guration, ‘It is good for us to be here.’”

Speaking after the ceremony, Diocesan Vocations Director Fr Brian Mascord said, “As a diocese we had a great opportunity to celebrate with John, Tim and Tony their life commitment to the service of God’s people. For each of them it has been a journey of discovery and conversion to the ways of God. We now have to continue to support their journey of faith and service.”

Bishop Michael’s delight in the opportunity to ordain three men was obvious. He told the considerable congregation that he had bragged to the bishops at their last conference, “and they admitted to the sin of being envious”.

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