Peter Ng’ang’na MSC, from Kenya, celebrated his Diaconate Ordination earlier this month with his Missionary of the Sacred Heart broters. Here he tells us what happened.
Preparation for my Diaconate Ordination began with a six days retreat led by Fr. Nick Harnan at our house in Makhado. Fr. Jonas Mokoena continued with a final week of preparation to the ministry of Diaconate and practice. The Parish Youth from Vleifontein village prepared the Liturgy and hymns for the Mass. Fr Vince Carroll was very welcoming at the house and proved himself to be an excellent host in every way.
With a full, youthful and vibrant church, the ordination was conducted by Bishop Hugh Slattery MSC and assisted by all the MSC’s from the Limpopo community. There was a true sense of support and brotherhood amongst all the MSC’s. The presence of the OLSH Sisters truly made this a Chevalier family occasion. We were thankful for the presence of the Carmalite Sisters and the Bon Secour Sisters, known to some of you in Cork. A word of thanks was given by Fr. Frank Bray followed by an invitation from Fr. Frank Gallagher to a sit down meal afterwards. The meal was delicious and prepared in a typical fashion by the women of the Parish.
Massages of goodwill were overwhelming and affirmed to me that we travel this journey together in the Heart of Jesus! This challenged me to re-commit myself to a greater sense of service the Church and to my community.
I thank each and everyone for helping me come to this day, not forgetting those I have left in Senegal and Cameroon.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved!