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The Diocese of Broken Bay has celebrated its 40th anniversary and farewelled its beloved shepherd, Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, in a Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday night.
Braving a cold and rainy night, hundreds attended the Mass and celebration in The Light of Christ Centre, Waitara, as Archbishop Anthony said his farewells to the People of God in Broken Bay.
Archbishop Anthony was joined on the sanctuary by Bishop Robert McGuckin, Bishop Emeritus of Toowoomba, Fr David Ranson, VIcar General of the Diocese, and the three Deans of the Diocese.
The Mass brought together local politicians, community leaders, parishioners and clergy, who all gathered to give thanks for the Diocese and for Archbishop Anthony.
In his homily, Archbishop Anthony celebrated the wonderful work the Diocese had done in the past four decades, under the pastoral direction of four different bishops.
"Over the past four decades, much has changed in our nation, our communities, and our Church," he said.
"Yet throughout these years, our clergy and people have remained committed to proclaiming the Gospel, forming disciples, serving those in need, and building communities of faith and hope for future generations. And so today, this quadragennial anniversary is first and foremost a moment of thanksgiving to Almighty God.
"We give thanks for the countless graces poured out upon this local Church over forty years: for bishops, priests, deacons, and religious; for parents and grandparents who handed on the faith; for teachers and catechists; for those who have prayed quietly and faithfully; for those who have served the poor, comforted the suffering, educated the young, and accompanied the lonely. We give thanks for every parish and ecclesial community, every school, every ministry, every vocation, every act of hidden holiness known only to God."
The Mass was celebrated on the Solemnity of Mary Star of the Sea, the patroness of the Diocese. The solemnity had been moved this year to avoid being celebrated on Sunday when it would have coincided with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
"Mary, Star of the Sea, walks with us," said Archbishop Anthony. "For centuries, the Christian faithful have looked to Mary to guide them safely through times of darkness and uncertainty. And so too, today, Mary guides the Church towards her Son, Jesus Christ, who is our true light and salvation.
"It is right and fitting that Mary, Mother of the Church and Star of the Sea, should be our patroness and guide. She accompanies us with maternal tenderness. She teaches us how to pray. She teaches us how to trust the Holy Spirit. She teaches us how to say “yes” to God even when the road ahead is uncertain."
Thursday evening's Mass marked 40 years since Bishop Patrick Murphy was installed as the first Bishop of Broken Bay.
Archbishop Anthony urged the faithful of the Diocese to continue their mission, proclaiming the Good News for decades to come.
"We are called to announce the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we will do this in words," he said.
"But always we must do it by the witness of our lives. People must be able to see in us the compassion of Christ, the mercy of God, the truth of the Gospel, and the joy of living life in the Holy Spirit.
"In a society often marked by anxiety, division and loneliness, Christian disciples are called to become signs of hope. We are called to build communities where people encounter not judgement and exclusion, but the love and healing of Jesus Christ."
Following the Mass, there were speeches from Fr David Ranson, Vicar General of the Diocese and Kelly Paget, Chancellor of the Diocese, accompanied by a video message, giving thanks to Archbishop Anthony for his time serving as the shepherd of the Diocese of Broken Bay, and wishing him the best in his new role in Rome.
On Friday night, the celebrations will continue with a gala dinner to celebrate 40 years of the Diocese of Broken Bay.
You can read Archbishop Anthony's Homily in full here.
