Bishop and priests celebrate jubilees in Hamilton

Bishop Richard Laurenson, Fr Tovio Iusitino and Fr Aidan Mulholland were the jubilarians honoured at a recent Mass celebrated at St Matthew’s Church, Hillcrest. In his homily, Fr Iusitino reflected on the Gospel stories of Sts Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

He spoke of his ministry on a Pacific Island when he visited a grandfather who immediately offered to go and make a cup of tea. Two grandchildren came and sat at the priest’s feet, asking who he was and what he did. When Fr Iusitino said that he was a priest whom they would have seen at the church and that he prays, they were very excited and went to tell the grandfather that the priest was there to pray with them.

The grandfather was taking the role of Martha and being hospitable, the children took the role of Mary to sit at the feet of the priest.

This also perhaps encapsulates the dual call of priestly life, especially one of a diocesan priest, Fr Iusitino proposed. To serve a parish and all that goes with it with Martha’s diligent “hospitality” and also resting like Mary in contemplative listening at the feet of Christ is the invitation, he said. Priests have to navigate the demands of active ministry while striving for that deeper union with God that sustains all their efforts.

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Three celebrate 30 years of priesthood in Hamilton diocese (Clearly/Catholic Diocese of Hamilton)