The Church must continue to bring people to salvation, says Archbishop Gilbert.

“The shepherding responsibility of the Church has to be renewed in the archdiocese,” the archbishop said May 17 as he preached the homily at the diaconate ordination of Leslie Tang Kai.

More than 20 priests concelebrated the Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, including Vicar General Msgr Christian Pereira; Vicar of the Northern Vicariate, Msgr Esau Joseph; Cathedral administrator Fr Kenneth Assing; and outgoing Seminary rector Msgr Michael de Verteuil.

In his usual words of welcome as the liturgy began, the archbishop said the ordination was “part of the steady trickle of professions and ordinations” to the religious and clerical life in the archdiocese, and this was “a sign of the irrepressible power” of the Holy Spirit. He invited the congregation to continue praying for vocations, whether to the married life, religious life or clerical life.

Tang Kai’s family and relatives, led by his parents Peter and Jean, sat up front, while parishioners of St John the Evangelist, Diego Martin – Tang Kai’s home parish - occupied many of the other pews. A combined Diego Martin parish choir led the singing and music in the choir loft.

Marisha Tang Kai and Lisa Ali, niece and sister respectively, did the readings, while Deacon Rev Carl Haynes of the diocese of St George’s, Grenada, proclaimed the gospel.

Following the rite of ordination, Archbishop Gilbert began his homily explaining that Tang Kai was being ordained to the transitional diaconate as opposed to the permanent diaconate. He said the archdiocese currently does not have any permanent deacons but 24 candidates will complete the first part of their training next month.

Congratulating Tang Kai for his perseverance, he told the congregation that Tang Kai “from this day forward exists for you.”

He said while he will now be a shepherd for the people, “all of us are called to be shepherds”. “Don’t look at Leslie now as a friend or relative, but consider him as a symbol for you to reflect on your own role as a shepherd in the Church”.

He said as shepherds we have to seek out those who have left the church and bring them home. He reiterated that some Catholics may have joined other churches but the majority simply stopped practicing the faith. The challenge, he continued, is “to gently invite them home by prayer, by word, by example”.

Rev Tang Kai is about to embrace his mother Jean. Raymond Syms photo

Rev Tang Kai is presented to the congregation. Msgr Pereira applauds (background) while Archbishop Gilbert looks on. Raymond Syms photo

He said it was critical to form a relationship with Christ. “If you are in relationship with God you will be compelled to form community… and share the Word. If you de-prioritise the relationship, that is going to show.”

He said the purpose of ministry is “to save people… to bring salvation to people.

There is nothing more important than being saved, than being in relationship with God.” He said ministry is therefore about dying to self and there was “no other way”.

As an aside, he urged young men in the process of discerning whether they had a vocation to the priesthood, to pick up their pace. He said he was not trying to be mean, but based on his years of experience, they have to move forward in their discernment. “You need to get in the water and swim - or get out the water.”

Archbishop Gilbert ended congratulating Tang Kai, saying he looked forward to working with him as a deacon and later as a priest. He thanked the family for making the sacrifice and urged Tang Kai to be present and available for the people.

“Holiness is the glue that holds us together. Let this ordination remind us all of the call to holiness and ministry, as this is the nature of the Christian life”.

After the homily, the rite of ordination continued with Tang Kai making his commitment to celibacy, his examination as a candidate for ordination and the promise of obedience. All were invited to pray as Raymond Edwards and Lydia Ledgerwood sang the Litany of the Saints, as the candidate lay prostrate on the altar.

After the laying on of hands by the archbishop, he was vested with his stole and dalmatic by his parents and brother Garth. Continuing the ceremony, he was presented with the Book of Gospels, and welcomed as a deacon with a fraternal embrace from the archbishop.

Deacons Haynes and Anthony Abraham were invited to do the same. The liturgy continued with Garth and Anthony Tang Kai presenting the gifts.

At the sign of peace, the new deacon had to be reminded to return to the sanctuary, as family crowded round to greet him.

After communion, and before giving the final blessing, the archbishop introduced to applause the archdiocese’s newest deacon.
Refreshments were served at the Catholic Centre car park.
Rev Tang Kai will be ordained a diocesan priest in December.

Gunman hides in Catholic Centre Car Park

Bullet-damaged portrait

An hour after the post-ordination sharing of refreshments had ended in the car park and everyone had left, six to eight loud explosions were heard.

A gunman ran into the car park pursued by Transit Police. Trapped in the car park, he shot at police who returned fire.

After 20 minutes lying handcuffed on the ground, the injured gunman was lifted by three officers and taken to the hospital.

Last Monday, business manager Lucille Nathu and a security consultant discovered a bullet had shattered a window in the Catholic Centre hall.

The bullet struck a framed portrait of Pope Benedict XVI on the northern wall. CID detectives later took away the portrait and bullet fragment. – RS