Ordinations 2008
Ordination of Reverend Deacon David Smith
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On 20th June David Smith was ordained to the Diaconate at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Lobley Hill. by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths, Bishop Emeritus of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese.
David was supported by family, friends, former colleagues, and parishioners from parishes David has been connected with. This included parishioners from St Oswald's - David's home parish where he was baptised and brought up, and parishioners from the family of parishes of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lobley Hill, St Philip Neri and St Mary's, Whickham, where he had been a parishioner for 18 years. Also present were guests from St Peter and St Paul in Stockton and St Joseph's, Norton where David recently completed a long pastoral placement as part of his formation.
David was supported also by the staff and students of the Ushaw community, many of whom were involved in the liturgy. Fr Philip Gillespie, acting president of Ushaw, presented David to Bishop Ambrose for the ordination, and Sr Patricia McDonald gave the first reading. Fr Philip Caldwell and Deacon Paul Johnson (a newly ordained deacon for Birmingham Diocese) vested David. Servers were Marc Lydon-Smith (a Hexham and Newcastle student in his 5th year of studies at Ushaw), Daniel Fitzpatrick (1st year Hexham and Newcastle student), Edmund Montgomery (4th year Ushaw student for Hallam Diocese), Angelo (2nd year Ushaw student for Leeds diocese) and Gerard Callagher (3rd year of studies for Liverpool Archdiocese), along with staff, students and college support staff.
David said: "Seeing the church so full with all these people who have supported me throughout the journey under one roof, from different pockets of my life, told me that something very, very significant was happening to me at this time.
"Feeling their love and support was so inspiring and poignant - it let me know who and what I had been formed for in a very practical way."
In his homily Bishop Ambrose spoke about the diaconate:
"The diaconate is the first degree of the sacrament of Ordination, of sharing in Christ’s priesthood, and emphasises especially the humble service to which all priests are called. Christ said very clearly that he came not to be served, but to serve; and he left us an outstanding example of generous and patient service without thought for himself. "
He continued: "Service of those in need was the primary purpose of those first appointed to be deacons. But like Stephen, Philip and the other deacons you are also called to preach the Word of God and to instruct people in the Faith."
"All this is pretty demanding. You cannot hope to do it all through your own strength. In this sacrament you will receive a special out-pouring of the Holy Spirit to strengthen you to carry out faithfully the ministry to which God has called you. "
Referring to the homily by Bishop Ambrose, David said:" it was lovely how my former colleagues, who were not Catholics, said Bishop Ambrose's sermon helped them feel part of it and gave them a very practical understanding of what it means to be a deacon." He added: "My time as a social worker was an important part of my journey to the diaconate, and reflecting on it today has re-emphasized how God is calling me to serve him in a new way."
Celebrating the ordination mass with Bishop Ambrose were Fr Seamus Cunningham, Diocesan Administrator, Fr John James, vocations director, Fr Michael McCoy, vocations promoter, Fr Simon Weymes and Fr Michael Weymes. A particular thanks David says, goes to the Lourdes music group who, he said, "led us so well in the music, and to Fr Michae Humble, parish priest of Lobley Hill, for making it all happen." And, he added: "I'd like to say thanks to my parents and to my sister Judith who supported me so much on this journey."
Rev David Smith will be on placement at St Bede's and St Joseph's, Jarrow for the next year.
