Ordination of Richard Withers to the Diaconate

THE ORDINATION
OF
RICHARD WITHERS
TO THE
DIACONATE

16th July 2011
St Mary's Church
All Saints Parish

Officiated by His Grace
Archbishop George Stack

Lead me, Lord, lead me in they righteousness;
make my way plain before my face.
For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety.

Order of Service

My Journey to the Diaconate by Richard Withers Last year, I was privileged to be with a group of people listening to Archbishop Vincent Nichols talking of his ordination to the priesthood. He said that the night before his ordination, his brother had asked him, 'Vincent, why are you doing this?'. 'Because it makes sense of who I am', was his wise and insightful reply. I have spent the last four years on a formation programme which lead to my ordination to the diaconate. And I am able to say that Archbishop Nichols' response to his brother also holds true for me, particularly after such a wonderful ordination. Many people remarked on the gracious and easy familiarity of our new Archbishop and the beauty of the thoughts he expressed so meaningfully in his homily. I am grateful to so many individuals including Fr John Kelly, my parish priest, my wife Rosie, and our children: Rebekah, Miriam, John, Andrew and Isaac. My principal formators Fr Ashley Beck and Fr Peter Edwards and to deacon Ed Channing from the Plymouth diocese who first planted the seed that I should consider becoming a deacon back in 1990. I well remember at my confirmation in 1986 the remark of the late Fr Larry Costello, 'the Church expects great things of you!' …little did I know! Other priests have been such an inspiration. Fr Bill Keily, Fr John Wren, (MHM) and Fr Jon Bielawski, all of the diocese of Plymouth. Fr Morty O'Shea of Minevia diocese, Frs Joseph Boardman, Matthew Jones, Peter Collins, Barry English, Edmund Neizer and George Areekuzhy (C.M.I.), of the Cardiff Archdiocese. In particular, I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the Jesuit missioner Fr John Edwards who I've known for over 30 years. In a caption accompanying a photograph in this week's Catholic Herald, the definition of the word 'charisma' was sought from the Oxford English Dictionary in an endeavor to describe the man: "Compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others". What a blessing he has been. With the help of God may I also be a blessing to others. Please remember me in your prayers.
The Service Through Images