On Friday 8th September 2023, Bishop Michael McKenna ordained Cong Van Hoang and Duong Van Ha as deacons for the Diocese of Bathurst.

It was a very cold Bathurst night outside, but inside the Cathedral, there was plenty of warmth as Bishop Michael ordained these two well-known and much loved 7th year seminarians to the diaconate.

The Most Rev Danny Meagher, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney and the Very Rev Michael de Stoop concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Michael, along with around 20 priests of the Diocese of Bathurst and over a dozen visiting priests. Bishop Danny is a former Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd where our seminarians study, and Fr Michael is the current Rector.

As well as members of the Diocesan family who were present to support Cong and Duong on this important occasion, they were happily joined by family members and friends from Vietnam, Sydney and other parts of Australia.

The Cathedral Combined Choir and the Seminary Schola provided beautiful music for the Mass, which was followed by a celebration in the Mother Ignatius Croke Centre in the Cathedral Precinct.

The Ordination Mass was live streamed on the Diocesan Facebook page and YouTube Channel for family and friends who could not attend.

The new deacons have a busy time ahead. They will continue their studies at Homebush until the end of the Seminary year in November; and the Bishop has appointed them to parishes to begin their ministry as deacons. Initially this will be on weekends when possible and then from November full time until, please God, their ordination to the priesthood. Deacon Cong will be in the Cathedral Parish and Deacon Duong in the Lithgow Parish. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.