Debbie Matheson is supported at her commissioning by Fr Ron Bennett (l) and Fr James Lyons (r). Photo: John Walkerdine
WelCom May 2018:
Joan McFetridge
The call to ministry is a gift and a challenge to each of the baptised – all deeply embedded in God’s love. How we respond to that love is our gift and vocation into ministry.
At the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on the second Sunday of Easter, 8 April, Cardinal John Dew commissioned Debbie Matheson as a Lay Pastoral Leader. Supporting Debbie were the archdiocesan pastoral leadership team, the parish community, Debbie’s family, guests, other lay pastoral leaders, friends, and colleagues.
Debbie will minister alongside Frs James Lyons, Ron Bennett and Kevin Conroy sm in the pastoral areas of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Otari and St Mary of the Angels.
In his homily, Cardinal Dew reminded us that in ministry ‘it is never about me, it is always about Jesus’. Debbie said she had been reflecting on God’s call and that her initial response was, ‘No, not me’. She said that God is persistent and patient, and through prayer and discernment, she is ready to live out what is close to her heart: ‘a leadership that is servant leadership and collaborative leadership’.