On the occasion of Ordinations – 5 July, 2002 – 7.30 pm
> REV. DANIEL REDHEAD
> REV. STEVEN HARTLEY
> REV. JOHN HONG XUAN NGUYEN

Last Sunday at St. Francis of Assist Church, Paddington, Sydney, I launched the Catholic Earthcare Australia, a Council that will advise the Australian Bishops’ Conference in the future on promoting care for the environment. In once sense the Council has arrived a little late on the Church scene considering that the Pope has been speaking about these matters now for more than ten years and has repeatedly requested ecological conversion for Catholics. As well, the ecological movement, which seems to be truly a movement of God’s Holy Spirit, has now been functioning for the past forty years, largely outside the Church, despite the example of St. Francis of Assisi, even greeted with a certain amount of suspicion by Christians. Nevertheless there is an integrity about this movement illustrated by the fact that environmentalists are working not so much for themselves, because they will never see the results of their sacrificial and often painful advocacy, but for all those generations that will follow. Their efforts will remain as a permanent legacy for the future.

I mention the launch of Catholic Earthcare tonight on the occasion of this most welcome triple ordination, to remind the ordinands and ourselves that our Christian faith is constantly expanding, unearthing treasure that our parents and grandparents would never have dreamed of. It is a faith that is alive, under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit constantly engaging the world, searching always to push back the envelope of Christ’s mystery for the benefit of all. Let us never lose sight of the dynamism of our faith.

That the launch of Catholic Earthcare Australia attracted very little media attention, despite an Episcopal climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge last Friday, and a colourful launch later at Paddington Church, was understandable in the present climate of Church sinfulness. Although planned for almost two years, the launch seems to have been interpreted as an exercise, even a cynical one, in directing public attention away from the Church’s more pressing problems. Nevertheless despite the horror of our present problems, the good news of Jesus Christ thankfully is not overcome by the sinfulness of its members and never has been. Its message demands acceptance by the sheer power of its truth. As Jesus said: "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance". As long as people search for life in the message of Jesus Christ, no matter how badly it may be preached or witnessed to, it will continue to attract people searching for a word of life in the midst of life’s confusions.

I mention all this tonight because I am sure that there are many people who are wondering why on earth three apparently sound and sensible men would willingly take on a job that many people regard in today’s climate as one of the most difficult imaginable. Could it be that these three candidates for ordination tonight have misunderstood the gravity of the present situation or underestimated the challenge that faces them, or could it be that they understand these matters only too well, but understand even better that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and that His challenge to take up our cross daily to follow Him is worth the effort. I am certain that it is indeed the latter.

Once we believe that Christ is indeed the light of the world we can do no other. Moreover when that realization is joined to God’s call to communicate the good news, as preachers of the word and heralds of the Gospel, then the task becomes even more clearly defined. That is the key to what Daniel, Steven and John are doing tonight. They have received a call from God, as did the Apostles of old, and after their example they have recklessly responded, knowing that God will walk beside them in the future.

So Daniel, Steven, and John, thank you for what you are doing. Quite obviously you must be focussed on Jesus Christ and captured by His vision, otherwise what you are doing makes no sense whatsoever. You might almost be accused of a type of divine madness. So make sure you continue to stay close to Jesus Christ in the future by commitment to the Sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist, and by prayer, and action. Display in your lives the balance that Christ showed in His. No matter what you do as Priests or how skilfully you do it, if your ministry is not based on Jesus Christ then it will fail. Moreover no matter how much prayer you say, if it does not bear fruit in mission then it is not the type of prayer Christ would have recommended. Christian prayer must be linked to the evangelization of the world and if it is not then you will be the most miserable of people. Make sure you engage the lives of your parishioners by preaching to them in good times and bad, words of faith, hope and love.

Moreover when you celebrate with your people in good times, and share their sorrow in bad, your lives must reflect the hope of Christ, especially when you try to influence young people. If your faith does not convey life and excitement then people will rightly reject it knowing that it does not come from Christ, who came to bring us life, and life in its fullness.

Tonight the first reading from Isaiah is filled with this sense of excitement. Like Isaiah the Spirit of the Lord tonight will be given to you. Let it shine forth for the benefit of others. As good shepherds walking in the footsteps of Christ you are needed more than ever today to give people direction in a world that is often confused.

Like St. Paul you must state "the truth openly in the sight of God." You will do that as Paul did, not by preaching yourselves, but by preaching "Jesus Christ as Lord." Today you are embarking on an exciting adventure, not without challenges, but if you believe in what you are doing and nourish that belief by prayer, study and action for a lifetime I can assure you of the deepest satisfaction possible.

Tonight remember with gratitude your parents and extended family who gave you life and in their own unique way, not always fully understood by themselves or you, also gave you faith. Remember your teachers, and that circle of friends, who have helped to make you who you are.

Remember also with gratitude your Vocation Director, Seminary Rectors Fathers John Chalmers and Michael McCarthy, and Staff, as well as the different Pastors and Parishioners who have assisted you over the years, all of whom have shaped and moulded you in ways that, at times you may have found uncomfortable, but which have nevertheless brought you to this significant moment in your lives. Finally give thanks to the Spirit of God, the ultimate sculptor of your lives, who provided you are open to the Spirit’s gentle or not so gentle prompting, will continue to shape and mould you to that perfection that alone will satisfy God.

Base your lives on Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest and pray always to Mary His Mother, and mother of the Church, whose humility must be your humility, who did those great things for God listed in her Magnificat, not because of any special talents with which she was endowed, but in and through the power of God’s Holy Spirit who in the years ahead will enable you also to do great things if you open yourselves to the Spirit’s power.

Thank you once again for what you are doing. We are enormously proud of you. We assure you of our prayerful support, which will begin here tonight as we now proceed with this ordination.