Veritas - From the APRIM

Veritas – From the APRIM

The Ordination of Fr William Loh OP

Along with my wife, I had the privilege of attending St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Saturday 3 August for the ordination of Fr William Loh OP, our School Chaplain, along with six other young men who have committed their lives to the service of God’s people. It was a wonderful experience.

We arrived at 10.00am for a 10.30am start and the cathedral, approximating the size of a football oval, was already full. We literally secured the final two seats in the absolute back row. The people kept coming, and many occupied standing room, downstairs in the crypt, as well as outside. The procession of bishops and priests began at 10.30am and it took approximately ten minutes for them all - I estimate 200 - to make their way around to the altar. I was heartened by the age of the priests, many between the age of 30 and 50, and their cultural diversity. The Catholic Church is truly universal! I turned to my wife and said: “the media wants people to think the Church is dead – fake news!”

All parts of the Mass were moving, beginning with the prostration of the candidates as they arrived at the foot of the altar. Much of the Mass was chanted, and the choir was expert, so it was beautiful, pious and holy. The brilliant Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP delivered a typically truth-heavy Dominican sermon that was laced with Dominican history and humour. It was richly meaningful. The Dominican focus was timely, as St Dominic’s feast has been the 3 August and is recognised as such by many.

I was struck by the peace – there was no rush. I found myself melting into the many spiritual moments. It was rich in affection and the Holy Spirit. Each candidate received a personal blessing with the laying of hands from each bishop and priest. There was nothing expedient about this at all – only meaning mattered. Some time shortly later, each candidate then received a fraternal kiss from each bishop and priest; again, there was no rush. The whole three hours was a reminder of the timelessness of God and the human soul. During these long processions of bishops and priests to and past the candidates, hymns were sung, and this only deepened the meaning. The spiritual hymns of the neo-catechumenal community during the fraternal kiss were very celebratory, in recognition of the newly ordained.

At the end, the cathedral was in rapturous applause and the joy was palpable. Archbishop Fisher said: “and they try to say the Church is dead” – this only heightened the joy!

Congratulations Fr William – the Church is blessed to have you as one of its pastors, and we at Blackfriars are indeed blessed.

St Dominic’s Day and the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

St Dominic’s Day is officially 8 August which is a clash with the Feast of Australia’s first saint, Mary of the Cross MacKillop. For this reason, Masses said on 8 August in Australia must be for St Mary of the Cross. Thursday 15 August is one of the few remaining Holy Days of Obligation. As Dominican schools support each other through attending each others’ St Dominic’s Day Masses, Blackfriars decided to move our St Dominic’s Day celebration to 15 August to help avoid clashes. This also allowed us to provide for the obligation. It also ties in nicely with our Dominican friars who are in the Assumption Province.

The links between St Dominic and Mary Mother of God are significant. St Dominic had a vision of receiving the Rosary from Mary and, given St Dominic’s significant influence in the Church, this led a surge in the practice of this holy prayer.

At Blackfriars we celebrated the day with a Kahoot quiz on the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Michelangelo Frassati and this was both educational and competitive. This was followed by the Mass of the Assumption; Fr William’s first whole-school Mass concelebrated by Fr Kevin Sunders OP, and attended by representatives of other Dominican schools and members of school committees.

Students had recess and then moved to activities such as sumo suits, a jumping castle and other interactive games. They had access to a variety of food which was organised brilliantly by the Heads of House and the school P & F.

Funds raised from the day are for Catholic Charities.

Mr Matthew Crisanti

Assistant Principal: Religious Identity & Mission