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| Monday, September 06, 2010 |
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Archbishop Martin Currie Installation Homily
November 30, 2007
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather this afternoon for the Mass of Installation, I welcome in a special way, those whom God has sent me to shepherd – those from The City of St. John’s and from out around the Bays and Peninsulas that make up this historic Archdiocese in this great city on the edge of the Atlantic.
I am moved and challenged by the confidence out Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has placed in me by appointing my Archbishop of St. John’s. I wish to thank him publicly in the person of his representative, the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Luigi Ventura for this new opportunity to serve. I pledge to the Holy Father, my prayers, obedience, and support.
My heart is full at the sight of all who are gathered around this great Altar of Christ to pray with me and for me and the Archdiocese of St. John’s. I welcome my Brother Bishops. I wish to pay tribute to my predecessors., Archbishop O’Brien and Archbishop Penney.
I welcome in a special way, guests from the various levels of Government, especially his Honour Edward Roberts, Lt Gov. of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador The Church is always ready to work with you for the common good of Newfoundland.
Together with the Clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese of St. John’s, I extend heartfelt greetings to the representatives of other Christian communities who are with us today, as well as those of other faith traditions, your presence honors us.
I welcome the Priests, friends, and co-workers from Halifax, Saint John, and in a special way those from Grand Falls who warmly welcomed me to the Province seven years ago and have supported me in my ministry.
I welcome my relatives and family members whose support and affection I have always cherished – my dear mother, Mabel, who gives me love and prayers each day and my dad Everett, whom I remember with love and gratitude.
As I recall the words of St. Augustine “I am happier by far to be redeemed with you than I am to be placed over you.”
Beyond these walls, I greet in a particular way, the retired Sisters, Brothers, priests and laity. So much that is great in this Archdiocese is due to you. I thank you not only for that you have done but for what you will by doing through your prayers and good works.
Newfoundland Geographical Thanks
In the presence of Archbishop Ventura, I want you to know I didn’t ‘Come By Chance’. It was the ‘Hearts Desire’ of His Holiness to appoint me here and it’s ‘My Hearts Delight’ to be here and I pray that it will be your ‘Hearts Content’ to have me in your midst.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news”
Rom. 10:15.
How appropriate a reading for the Feast of St. Andrew. A native of Galilee, Andrew, along with his brother, Peter, established a fishing business in the seaside town of Capernaum. Andrew was an ardent follower of John the Baptist and eagerly accepted John’s testimony that Jesus was the promised Messiah – the Lamb of God.
As he followed Jesus, Andrew found the way to true happiness and the fulfillment of God’s promise. Thus Andrew knew that, unless people were told about Jesus and brought to meet Jesus as he had, they would not find the freedom and happiness that he had come to know. In the Gospel, Andrew becomes an eager disciple and missionary. Andrew brought his brother, Simon, to Jesus, he brought Greek-speaking strangers to the Lord he even brought a young boy with a few loaves and fishes. Andrew, it seems, couldn’t help himself – he had to share with others – Jesus the true source of his joy and freedom.
St. Paul Reminds us, “How are they to believe in one of
whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear
without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to
proclaim him unless they are sent. Rom. 10:16.
Like Andrew, we are called to be bearers of the good news, to be Missionaries to those around us, in our homes and work places and neighborhoods.
The History of the Archdiocese of St. John’s
The History of the Archdiocese of St. John’s and of Newfoundland is a history of men and women who, like Andrew, came to know Jesus and became disciples and missionaries. Those first Bishops and Priests – O’Donel, Fleming, Howley and the hearty Irish stock to whom they ministered, knew hardship as Paul says in 2 Cor ‘shipwreck, adrift at sea, on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, in toil and hardship” and I suppose if he was writing today he would add “Danger from moose on the TCH”
These first missionaries were soon joined by valiant women. The Sisters of the Presentation and the Sisters of Mercy left home, many never to return. In difficult hardship and isolated circumstances, formed the hearts and minds of the young in the wisdom of the world and helped them to know Jesus and become his disciples. They were followed by the Irish Christian Brothers who formed many hearts and minds and challenged them to be leaders in both faith and society.
Under the shepherding of those who followed the church, knew joys and sorrows, and each generation wrote its chapter of history.
The faithful men and women, the mothers and fathers, became disciples – people of deep faith and they became missionaries in their own household and, for so many years, the homes of these good people were domestic churches where faith was handed on by example, and caring, compassionate, and fun-loving people became disciples and missionaries in their communities and beyond.
In the Church of Today
In the church of today, the foundations laid by others has born much fruit – I see everywhere I go disciples and missionaries at work. In this city and around the bays we find thousands of committed men and women filled with love for Jesus who are serving in many ways – the poor are cared for, the sick are visited, the elderly loved and appreciated, many form new disciples in their role as catechist, others assist in the many new Ministries that have arisen in the Church. For all these disciples, we give thanks.
Today Newfoundland, as it has before in its history, is in a time of change. In many ways it is the worst of times and the best of times – the worst of times as we see many of the young leaving for the mainland, those who make the great commute and absent from their families causes stress on family life, the aging population and low birth rate are cause for concern, the lack of trust in church because of the sins of a few has touched us all, the loss of living sense of faith has affected the ways people live and practice their faith.
It is the best of times as our province, with strong leadership, is set to turn the tide on being a have-not province and become masters of their own destiny.
In our church, there has been a call for a new evangelization to make our people disciples and missionaries. I feel this call for a new evangelization is precisely what our church needs as people have needs that only religion can answer. Women and men have spiritual interests and needs and it is for the church to find ways to minister to all and to find practical ways in which faith can touch their lives. In today’s world, many people are searching, hurting, and just hanging in. I pray that we may become disciples of Jesus as was Andrew and so build a caring church, a compassionate church, a loving church, a forgiving church, a church that cares for the poor and the little ones as Jesus did.
As I begin my ministry as Chief Shepherd, I give you my heart, I ask for your prayers that, like Andrew, I may be a good and faithful shepherd and lead other to become disciples and missionaries of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of us all.
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