Two of Broken Bay's seminarians have taken steps toward ordination on Saturday, with Matthew French being admitted as a Candidate for Holy Orders and Victor Atuhura being installed as a Lector and Acolyte.
During the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara, both young men continued their journey towards priestly ordination.
Matthew's admission to Candidacy marks his commitment to pursue ordination, while still continuing his discernment. Victor's institution to the ministries of Lector and Acolyte means he will now proclaim the Word of God and serve the altar during the celebration of the Eucharist.
In the absence of Bishop Anthony Randazzo, who is traveling back from a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, Fr David Ranson, Vicar General of the Diocese of Broken Bay, celebrated the Mass.
In his homily, he reflected on the Season of Lent and how it was a particularly fitting time for both Matthew and Victor to take their next steps in ministry.
"Lent
invites us to look again, to see ourselves, our relationships and our world in
a new way. It invites us to discover that God is already preparing possibilities
that we may not have yet imagined," Fr David said.
"Tonight,
this theme of seeing with new eyes is particularly fitting for Victor and
Matthew."
Matthew, the younger brother of Fr Sam French, began seminary formation in 2021 after working as a lawyer. While his Admission to Candidacy is a statement of intention, it doesn't mark the end of the road on his journey of discernment.
"Matthew, as you are admitted today as a Candidate for Holy Orders, the Church recognises in you a call that is still unfolding," Fr David said.
"Candidacy of course is not the end of discernment, but a particular moment of trust. Trust tat god has begun his work in you and will continue to lead you.
"The Church looks to you as it does to all who prepare for ministry, to be someone who can see with the eyes of Christ, someone able to recognise grace where others may only see difficulty. To perceive hope where others may only perceive limitation."
Victor joined the Diocese of Broken Bay last year after completing his seminary formation and has been on placement at The Lakes Parish.
"Victor, as you are instituted tonight into the ministries of both Lector and Acolyte, the Church entrusts you in a special way with the Word of God and the service of the altar," said Fr David. "A reader helps the community hear the Word, an Acolyte serves the ministry of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.
"But both ministries require something deeper still: the ability to see. To see the presence of God at work in the life of the Church and the world, and to help others see it as well."
There are currently nine men in formation for priesthood in the Diocese of Broken Bay, a further six discerning God's call for their lives in Joseph House, the Diocese's house of discernment, and several other young men in the Diocese actively discerning a call to priestly ministry.