6 November 2014
Your news from across the Archdiocese of Perth
Edition #6
Deacons-elect prepare to serve By Marco Ceccarelli THE ARCHDIO CESE of Perth is anticipating a momentous occasion this week as six seminarians from St Charles’ Seminary, Guildford, will be ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe on Friday, 7 November, at St Mary’s Cathedral. The deacon-elects, Simeon San, Garner Vergara Jr., Stephen Gorddard, Jeffey Casabuena, Israel Quirit and Grant Gorddard have all studied at St Charles’ Seminary, Guildford, and Notre Dame University, Fremantle, and are originally from Australia, the Philippines and Myanmar (Burma). In an interview with Communications and Media Office journalist Marco Ceccarelli, the six deaconelects spoke about a strong desire to serve the Christian community that God will entrust them with. Their experiences, they said, conveyed a distinct sense of faithfulness and commitment to their ministry as they framed their transition into the diaconate as a sign of their devotion to the Church, the people of God and, more importantly, to Jesus Christ. The intimacy with Christ, many of them said, had sustained their openness to their vocation and had steadily accompanied them EDITION #6 | 6 NOVEMBER 2014
The deacon-elects are, from left, Stephen Gorddard, Simeon San, Garner Vergara, Grant Gorddard, Jeffey Casabuena and Israel Quirit and will be ordained by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB next Friday, 7 November at St Mary’s Cathedral. PHOTO: JAMIE O’BRIEN
on their journey towards priesthood. The term “deacon” has its etymological roots in the Greek word diákonos, meaning “servant,” “minister,” or “messenger.” The Catechism of the
configures them to Christ, who made himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all.” (Article 1570) In light of these words, the testimonies of the young men reflect a profound understanding of the mis-
The desire to serve people attracted me to the priesthood. Selflessness and altruistic love was my inspiration. Catholic Church states that “deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (‘character’) which cannot be removed which
sion that awaits them. Garner Vergara Jr., originally from Cebu in the Philippines, studied nursing at a Catholic University run by Augustinians before arriving in Perth in 2008. He joined St Charles’
seminary in 2009. Garner experienced the rewards of being at the service of others in his home country where he volunteered for an organisation that feeds and teaches homeless children in the slums of Cebu. As he entered adult life, his altruistic inclinations gradually grew and, despite the opportunities to study at different universities, he remained committed to becoming a missionary and a priest. “I think it was the desire to serve people that attracted me to the priesthood. Selflessness and altruistic love was my inspiration” he said. Continued on Page 3