Joan McFetridge
3 August 2011
On Saturday, June 18, Archbishop John Dew commissioned Sharon Penny as the lay pastoral leader in the seaside parish of Eastbourne, witnessed by a packed church.
Frs Michael Stieller, Linh Nguyen, and Mgr Charles Cooper assisted.
Cushla Quigan, who had been the lay pastoral leader in Eastbourne welcomed Sharon at the sign of peace.
Sharon was supported by her family, her Carterton parish community and her Launch Out colleagues.
Archbishop John presented Sharon with a cross—the sign of contradiction for all Christians. In accepting this ministry in the Church Sharon responded,
‘I have been called to serve you, the people of San Antonio as a pastoral leader.
I am ready to accept the responsibility that this position entails.
I commit myself to serve you in the humble manner of Jesus and I will be responsible to the Body of Christ for the manner in which I serve.
I am resolved, with God’s help, to offer my talents, time and energy for the building up of our community of faith.
I ask you, the parish community of San Antonio for your prayer and support as I begin my ministry among you.
May God bless us all as we journey together.
Kaua e rangiruatia te ha o te hoe; e kore to tatou waka e u ki uta.
‘Do not lift the paddle out of unison or our canoe will never reach the shore’.
Sharon is the sixth Launch Out graduate commissioned as a lay pastoral leader in a parish/pastoral area. Another three graduates are in chaplaincies and one is working in an archdiocesan position.