Matthew Crawford SM was ordained deacon last evening by Bishop Bob Leamy SM. The ordination took place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland during the 7.00pm Sunday Mass.
A large number of priests, including Marist Provincial Brian Cummings SM, accompanied Matt during the ceremony. Numerous members of his family, including Peter and Margaret, Matt’s parents, also travelled from Whangarei and Northland to be there.
After the ceremony a large number of guests packed into Marist Seminary to enjoy a celebratory supper.
Matt will now head for Wellington where he will join the St Mary of the Angels Community to exercise the ministry of deacon. He will also study at Victoria University in 2010 with a view to being teacher. He will be ordained to the priesthood sometime in 2010.
Matt’s journey towards the priesthood has included novitiate in Sydney, two years cross-cultural experience in Marist communities in Mexico and completing his Bachelor of Theology degree at Good Shepherd College, Auckland. Matt recently professed his perpetual vows, and ordination to the diaconate is another step on the road to priesthood in the Society of Mary.