Ordination of Michael Buck

In 2010, when I was in Year 11 at St Bede’s, I was sent by the College to Rome as our representative on an Archdiocesan Pilgrimage for the Canonisation of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the first Australian Saint. It was an amazing experience on which I still look back with fondness and gratitude. In particular, I can remember how I was awe-struck by Saint Peter’s Basilica. I was moved by its enormous size and architectural beauty, as well as the way it seemed to incarnate Catholicism, and the prayerful and other-worldly atmosphere of the place, even in the midst of many tourists.

I could hardly have imagined at that time that a mere eight years later I would be solemnly processing into the same Papal Basilica to be ordained as a deacon of the Church. At the time, I was certainly struggling with the question of what to do with my life and what God willed for me, and the possibility of the priesthood was a part of that, but I wasn’t sure about what would happen after school, and I certainly couldn’t have known that after spending three years in the seminary in Melbourne I would be sent to Rome to continue my studies here. It certainly is something which speaks to me of the way the hand of God is so often at work in our lives, even though we might only perceive it some years later.

In the largest Catholic Church in the world, where two Ecumenical Councils of the Church have been held, and on top of the bones of Saint Peter, my ordination was a solemn and grand occasion, and it was a great joy to be joined by my family as well as many friends and priests from home to support me and share in such a unique moment. I was ordained by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston in Texas, along with 39 other young men with whom I live and study over here, all of them from various parts of the United States.

For me, it was a great joy to give my life to Christ from whom I have received everything. Many hours of prayer in the chapel at Saint Bede’s, and the witness of men who had consecrated their lives to God, all helped me to make the decision to respond to God which led me to this moment. The witness of the brothers at St Bede’s will always be strong in my mind, especially those whom I was privileged to know personally and learn from in my years at St Bede’s and beyond. I remain very grateful for my years at the College and I was certainly well-aware of the prayers and support for me from St Bede’s in the lead up to my ordination.

Since many people aren’t sure what a “deacon” is and are confused because I am supposed to be becoming a priest, a deacon is in the first degree of Holy Orders (followed by priests, then bishops), but normally it is only a transitional stage before one is ordained a priest, which means in practice that even many Catholics haven’t heard of or met a “deacon” before. Having been ordained to the sacred order of the diaconate, I am now a cleric and committed for the rest of my life to celibacy, obedience and prayer. As a deacon, I can perform Baptisms, witness Catholic marriages, proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass, among several other things. When I am ordained a priest, which hopefully will be next year, I will be conformed to Jesus Christ in such a way that I will be able to celebrate the sacraments of the Eucharist, Confession and Anointing of the Sick. Please pray for me in this final stage of preparation for the priesthood, as I promise my prayer for all of you!

In Christ

Deacon Michael

Annual Finian Foundation Fundraiser

Thank you to all who attended - a great day had by all particularly our winning group of Blair Blair Hutchinson, Mark Ryan, Charles Moscato and Andrew Jones (all Class of 1987)

Please join us for a great day out supporting a wonderful cause.

Sponsorships Available for this day. Please contact Jo Hynes at oldcolls@stbedes.catholic.edu.au or view sponsorship packages on our website

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/XKVP

Bursaries for 2019

The St Bede’s Old Collegians Association through the Finian Foundation are pleased to announce the introduction of four bursaries for current St Bede’s College and St James College boys whose families may be experiencing financial hardship.

The bursaries are open to all current Year 10 St Bede’s College and all current Year 10 St James College students who will be attending St Bede’s College for Years 11 & 12. The bursary will cover a pertentage of the tuition fee at St Bede’s College for both Year 11 & Year 12

Formal criteria and application form attached. Please complete and submit before Friday 26 October 2018.

If you have any questions about this, please contact Jo Hynes, Old Collegians Officer on 9582 5722.

Selection Criteria and Application form can be found on our website HERE

Old Collegians Reunion 2018

The Class of 1978 – Friday 16 November from 6:30 pm at the College.

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/UCHR

ACC

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