Two new Deacons for KL Archdiocese

Jan 31, 2018

By Bernard Anthony
Seminarians Bro Dominic Tan and Bro Simon Lau were ordained to the Diaconate Order by Archbishop Julian Leow at the Church of St Anthony on January 23, 2018.

More than 50 clergy, mainly from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, including Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez, Archbishop Leow and Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam were present, with Deacons Nicholas Hoh and Xavier Andrew and eight seminarians. .

The theme chosen for the Diaconate Ordination was Feed My Sheep (Mark 6:34).

“We are privileged this evening to come together to celebrate two new deacons into the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur,” said Archbishop Leow. “We give thanks to God and ask the Lord to bless us and the families of the deacons for having produced servants for the Church.”

The Rite of Ordination began after the Gospel proclamation. Fr Gerard Theraviam (former Rector of College General) presented the candidates to the Ordaining Prelate.

Archbishop Leow in his homily spoke about the duties and functions of the diaconate, which is one of the three ordained offices in the Catholic Church. “These two will help the bishop and his priests in the ministry of the Word, of the altar, and of charity, showing themselves to be servants to all.” As ministers of the altar, they will proclaim the Gospel, prepare the sacrifice, and distribute the Lord’s body and blood to the faithful. They will preside over public prayer, administer baptism, assist at and bless marriages, bring viaticum to the dying and conduct funeral rites. They will perform works of charity and, with the help of God, they are to go about all these duties in such a way that people will recognise them as disciples of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve.

Archbishop Leow told Tan and Lau that, as deacons, they need to do the will of God and serve the people in love and joy.

“You will exercise your ministry committed to the celibate state; know that celibacy is both a sign of pastoral charity and inspiration to it, as well as a source of spiritual fruitfulness in the world.

“You are to free yourselves more completely for the service of God and man, and minister more effectively in the work of spiritual rebirth. You must be firmly rooted and grounded in the faith.”

The prelate advised them to never allow themselves to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel. “Now you must not only be hearers of this Gospel but also its ministers. Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience. Express it by your actions, the Word of God, which your lips proclaim, so that the Christian people, brought to life by the Spirit, may be a pure offering, acceptable to God.

“Grow in your relationship with Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Look and seek for the lost, those who have strayed from the Lord.

“Always remember to care for the wounded sheep in your charge. We imitate the Good Shepherd as we follow Him at the altar.”

After the homily, the ordination rite continued. Both Deacons were vested with the Stole and Dalmatic by the parish priests of their parishes, namely Fr Gregory Chan (Assumption, PJ) for Deacon Tan and Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai (Good Shepherd, Setapak) for Deacon Lau.

Archbishop Leow then prayed and handed the Book of the Gospels to both Deacons Dominic and Simon as they knelt before the prelate. This was followed by the Kiss of Peace. They then assisted in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

After Mass, both Deacons expressed their gratitude to Archbishop Leow for ordaining them and to Fr James Gabriel, the parish priest of Church of St Anthony and the committee for all their efforts in organising this event.

They also thanked their Formators in their formation years at the seminary: Fr Gerard, Archbishop Leow (who was the former Dean of Studies), Cardinal Soter (formerly Spiritual Father in College-General), Fr Edwin Peter. Others involved include seminarians here and in Sabah and Sarawak and those who guided them in their pastoral work as well as their parish priests. They had a special word of thanks for Archbishop (now Emeritus) Pakiam for accepting both of them into the seminary.

Deacon Tan added that his parish community had influenced him, as did his three parish priests (some no longer with us) and his own family members, particularly his mother. “Without all of you, I would not be standing here today,” he said.

Deacon Lau, a convert, attributed his faith to the Catholic community in Setapak, where he met Jesus. He shared that he regularly attended the KLASE prayer meetings. He thanked his mother, saying it was not an easy decision for her to let her son enter the seminary, especially when his father passed away during his first year in seminary. He thanked all who had been supportive of him entering the seminary.

In closing, Deacon Lau said they wanted to promote vocations to the priesthood. “Many say it is an impossible vocation but we can testify that it is possible.” He invited young Catholics to attend the Feb 24 and 25 Diocesan Vocation Camp to be held in Good Shepherd Church, Setapak. “Young people, we hope to see you there,” he said.

Dinner fellowship was held in the parish grounds.