Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Ordination to the Diaconate of Kevin McGregor
4 March 2025
It is with great joy and gratitude that we gather this evening, united in prayer and praise, as we celebrate a pivotal moment in the life of the Church and in the life of Kevin McGregor and his family.
Today, Kevin is called to a sacred and important vocation as a deacon in the Church of Broken Bay, a servant of God and His people, entrusted with the ministry of the word, the altar, and charity.
In this moment, we also recognize the special grace of this Holy Year, a year of mercy and hope, in which Kevin’s diaconal service will be a sign and instrument of that hope, not only for our local community but for the world around us.
Our Scripture readings this evening offer us profound insights into what it means to be a deacon of hope, particularly as Kevin embarks on this sacred ministry.
In the first reading from Ecclesiasticus (35:2-15) we are reminded that to keep the law is a great oblation, and the one who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. In works of charity, one who shows mercy makes atonement for sin. This exhortation calls us to recognize that our relationship with God is expressed in love and service to others.
The diaconate, in particular, is a ministry of service to God’s people, and in that service, Kevin you are called to be a witness to God’s love and mercy.
Through the ministry of the Word, you will preach the Gospel, offering the Good News of Jesus Christ as a light of hope in a world that often feels overwhelmed by darkness. In your service at the altar, you will assist the bishop and the priests by accompanying the faithful into deeper communion with Christ. And through your charitable works, you will be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing mercy to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and all those in need.
In the Acts of the Apostles, we are reminded of the mission that has been entrusted to the Church. We hear in Acts 10:42: God has ordered us to proclaim this to the people and to tell them that He has appointed Jesus to judge everyone, alive or dead.
Kevin, you are called to preach the Gospel and testify to the salvation that is offered through Jesus Christ. As a deacon, you will proclaim this message with your words, your actions, and your very life. Your role is not to seek glory for yourself, but to point always to the one who is the true source of hope, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel of Mark (10:31), Jesus offers us this poignant reminder: “many who are first will be last, and the last first.” This is the paradox of the Kingdom of God.
As a deacon, Kevin, you are called to live this paradox daily. The world often values power, prestige, and prominence, but Christ calls us to serve, to put others before ourselves, and to give without counting the cost.
You are called to serve in humility, to take on the role of a servant, just as Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. In doing so, you will embody the very heart of the Gospel, the hope that is found not in earthly glory, but in the humble service of God’s people.
Now, Kevin, as you prepare to be ordained a deacon, I ask you the question: What does it mean to be a deacon of hope in this Holy Year and indeed, for the rest of your life? It means, first and foremost, to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
In a few moments, you will receive the laying on of hands and the Holy Spirit will come upon you in a new and special way. This is not just a moment of ordination; it is a moment of empowerment. The Holy Spirit will equip you for the task ahead, to proclaim the Gospel boldly, to serve with joy, and to be a vessel of God’s mercy in the world. In your ministry, you will not rely on your own strength, but on the grace of the Holy Spirit, who will guide you and sustain you in all that you do.
It also means being a servant to all, following the example of Jesus. Your ministry will be one of radical service, service that goes beyond the comfortable or convenient, to the edges of society where the poor, the sick, and the forgotten dwell. Your ministry will be a witness to the hope of the Gospel, a hope that transforms lives, a hope that heals wounds, a hope that lifts people out of despair and points them to the eternal life promised in Christ.
Kevin, you will help the bishop and priests in our ministry, especially in the service of the word, the altar, and charity. In all of these areas, you will witness to the people of God what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Your ministry at the altar will be a powerful sign of God’s presence in the world, an invitation to come and encounter the Lord in the Eucharist. Through the proclamation and preaching of the Word, you will offer the people the nourishing truth of the Gospel. And in your acts of charity, you will embody the love of Christ for all people, especially those most in need.
I exhort you, Kevin, never to allow yourself to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The world will challenge you, and you will face trials and struggles. There will be moments when it will seem easier to give up or to lose hope. But you are called to be a beacon of hope to others. Never be an obstacle to others who are on their own pilgrimage into hope. Rather, always point them to Christ, who is the source of our hope. In your service, let the joy of the Gospel shine through, so that all who encounter you may see in you a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
My dear son, as you begin this sacred ministry, I pray that you will always remember the words of Saint Paul to Timothy: “Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
May your ministry be marked by patience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the Gospel. May the Holy Spirit strengthen you for the task ahead, and may your service bring hope, healing, and salvation to all you encounter.
May God bless you abundantly, and may Mary, Star of the Sea, guide you and intercede on your behalf as you answer the call to be a deacon of hope in this Holy Year and for the rest of your life. Amen.