Deacon Mark Hughes celebrated his ordination in the heart of his own community at St Agatha’s in Cranbourne on Saturday (12 March).
Bishop Greg Bennet ordained Deacon Mark to the diaconate at a mid-morning ceremony in a full church of Mark’s family, friends from various parishes around the diocese, together with supporting clergy and religious.
Deacon Mark was born in Chennai, India and migrated to Australia in 2000.
Now aged in his 40s, Mark was called to enter the seminary after a varied working life which had included services focused roles ranging from teaching, retail work at Officeworks, Aged Care Nursing and Intensive Care Nursing.
Family members who attended the homely spirited Mass included Deacon Mark’s mother Joan, his sister Roxanna, brother-in- law Benjamin and their children Daniella and Reuben.
The Gospel was carried to the Altar by members of local Samoan community and read by Deacon Mark Kelly.
Rev. Jake Mudge, representing Corpus Christi Seminary, presented Mark Hughes as a candidate for ordination to the Diaconate.
In his homily, Bishop Greg acknowledged Deacon Mark’s mother, Joan and his late father, Ronald, who presented him for baptism as a baby in Chennai.
“Mark, it is clear to us that the Lord has been working in you throughout your life so many pathways open before you..,” Bishop Greg said noting the varied careers that Mark had undertaken in his professional life.
“And yet you knew something was missing. It was not as though you were running away from something or someone, rather running towards the one who is at the centre of your life.
“Your soul was longing and yearning for the Lord, as St Augustine prays so poetically, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
“Bishop Greg noted Deacon Mark would be able to use many of his skills, such as his care and compassion as an ICU nurse, a new way, in his ministry for the Church, a Church that Pope Francis has described as a ‘field hospital.’
Bishop Greg noted Deacon Mark’s formation had not happened in a vacuum but had been formed in the heart of family, friendships, within faith communities, at Corpus Christi Seminary, Catholic Theological College, and in the parishes of St Michael’s Traralgon and more recently, at the Cathedral in Sale.
“May you warm and heal hearts and may Our Lady of Perpetual Help intercede for you and lead you to her Son,” Bishop Greg concluded.
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The kiss of peace Bishop Greg Bennet and Deacon Mark Hughes.JPG)
Deacon Mark with mother Joan and Bishop Greg.JPG)
Promise of obedience.JPG)
Litany of the Saints.JPG)
Laying of Hands.JPG)
Prayer of Ordination.JPG)
Handing on the Book of the Gospels.JPG)
Guard of Honour.JPG)
Deacon Mark with Corpus Christi College Seminary colleagues.JPG)
Deacon Mark, Bishop Greg and clergy.JPG)
Deacon Mark HughesPhotos: Sophy Morley for Catholic Diocese of Sale
The investiture was completed with the assistance of Rev. Denis O’Bryan EV.
Music for the ceremony was provided by the Divine Mercy Samoan Choir of St Agatha’s Parish and the gifts were brought forward by friends and family members.
In his thank you address Deacon Mark noted: “Families are the compass that guides us. They are inspiration to reach great heights and our comfort when we occasionally falter”.
He said to the congregation “Dear Family in Christ, each one of you have given a part of yourself to this vocation, for which I am every grateful.”
Deacon Mark also acknowledged his own family spread around Australia and the world, including in India and Canada, and also his friend, Fr Michael Gaikwad SDB, in Cambodia, all of whom were watching via live stream.
He paid tribute to Denise Kohlman, now retired nursing friend who, in a conversation on a late-night nursing shift, had prompted him to apply to study for the priesthood.
Deacon Mark expresses his gratitude to his parish community at St Agatha’s Parish. “This day would not have been one of prayer, fellowship, blessings and graces if it wasn’t for my benefactors at St. Agatha’s… My parish, my home, I am overwhelmed by your generosity, thank for your financial support, assistance with the liturgy, and coordination of this day,” he said. “In my heart I am singing a Hymn of thanks for each one of you who has blessed my vocation with your presence.”
Deacon Mark then sang with Fr Francis Otobo to finish his address, “Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me.”
A community lunch was held in the St Agatha’s Primary School Hall after the ceremony.
Deacon Mark Hughes will now minister in Sale at St Mary’s Cathedral Parish.
