Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara was filled to overflow on Tuesday night, as bishops, priests, deacons, religious, seminarians and laity joined together for the Chrism Mass, in a strong sign of unity for the Diocese of Broken Bay.
The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Broken Bay, joined by people from every corner of the sprawling Diocese.
Supported by Bishop Robert McGuckin, Bishop Emeritus of Toowoomba, Archbishop Anthony was also joined by more than 70 priests and 10 deacons, including Diocesan clergy and religious clergy.
In his homily, he preached a message of peace, one sorely needed in today's world, with war breaking out across the Middle East and beyond.
"This is a moment of deep communion: communion with Christ, communion with one another, and communion in the one mission entrusted to the Church," he said.
"The Chrism Mass makes visible who we are, a people anointed, a people sent, a people called into the peace of Christ."
The Chrism Mass is one of the biggest Masses of the year, when a bishop consecrates the Sacred Chrism and blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. These oils are used for sacraments throughout the year, and priests renew their vows publicly, showing the unity of the Diocese, particularly in its priestly and sacramental life.
"In each of these sacred moments, the Church continues the mission of Christ: to heal, to restore, to reconcile," Archbishop Anthony said in his homily.
"Through these oils, the peace of Christ stirs human lives in concrete ways. The child or adult elect for baptism, the young person sealed in confirmation, the sick person seeking strength, the man ordained to serve, each is drawn into that same peace: a peace that is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of God."
But the Chrism Mass isn't just for the priests and deacons of the Diocese. It's also an opportunity for the laity to reaffirm their own mission: to draw people closer to Christ and to carry His peace in their lives.
"To you, my sisters and brothers, the faithful of this Diocese: you too are anointed," said Archbishop Anthony.
"In baptism and confirmation, you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and sent into the world. Your vocation is lived in many different ways, in families, workplaces, parishes, and communities, but the source is the same. You are called to live holy lives, to be witnesses of hope, and to carry the peace of Christ into every corner of society.
"This is the beauty of the Church: many vocations, one anointing; many paths, one mission; many members, one Body in Christ."
This expression of unity was echoed after, as hundreds made their way down to The Light of Christ Centre for refreshments, and to mingle with their fellow parishioners and clergy.
For many in attendance, it was also their first opportunity to congratulate in person, Archbishop Anthony, on his new appointment in Rome.
The blessed oils will be taken back to their parishes and used for the first time this weekend, when hundreds of new Catholics are welcomed into the Church across Broken Bay during the Easter Vigil.