Hamilton Bishop Stephen Lowe asked the diocese’s three new acolytes to listen to the Word of God, receive it and be transformed by it.
The bishop installed Mark Hassett of Tauranga, John Marneth-Rust from Morrinsville, and Glenn Clunie of Taupō as acolytes at a Mass celebrated at St Patrick’s church in Taupō, a step bringing them closer on their journey towards becoming permanent deacons.
“Today, Glenn and Mark and John, as you come to receive and to be installed as acolytes, you are once again called to hear the Word. The word ‘acolyte’ goes right back to the Greek, [the word] means ‘follower’. First of all, that is what you have to be,” the bishop said.
“As acolytes, followers of Christ, you, too, are called to receive the Word of God and be transformed by it. And as that bread, which will become the bread of the Eucharist, the body of Christ, nourishes us, so your ministry is called to nourish the people of God.”
Bishop Lowe said the ministry of acolytes had traditionally been received only by those preparing for ordination as deacons or as priests. But he said that, recently, Pope Francis has opened the ministry to all of the baptised “because it is about a living out of our baptism”.
Bishop Lowe was referring to Pope Francis’ motu proprio Spiritus Domini, issued in January this year, stating that men and women “who possess the age and qualifications established by decree of the conference of bishops, can be admitted
on a stable basis through the prescribed
liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte”.
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, “the acolyte is instituted for service at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon. It is his [acolyte’s] place principally to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if necessary, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful as an extraordinary minister”.
Bishop Lowe also called on the faithful to live out their baptism and share in the mission of Christ. He said people don’t go to Mass just to tick a box.
“Maybe the question that we can reflect on as we go from the Mass today is: how am I going to show that I serve the mission of Christ in this community of Taupō this week? How am I going to reveal myself, if you like, as an acolyte, a follower of Christ?” he said.
“Because our faith is not something private. It’s called to extend out there and make a difference. And when people don’t accept our example, well, we just kick the dust off our feet and we keep on going because we follow him, not what everyone else thinks.”
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