The ordination of Wollongong’s new Catholic Bishop Brian Mascord will take place at WIN Entertainment Centre on February 22.
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With such a large number of people expected to attend the major event the doors will open an hour early at 6pm for a 7pm start.
The ordination is expected to attract 4500 people and should conclude by 9.30pm.
Ordinations of a new bishop are a rare occurance and attract large number of dignateries.
Among those present will be the the papal nuncio in Australia, His Excellency Most Reverend Adolfo Tito Yllana and up to 30 Australian bishops, 100 clergy, parishioners and families from all the diocesan parishes and schools, staff and families from all diocesan agencies and affiliated organisations, leaders of other churches and faiths, civic leaders of government and business.
Bus-loads of the Bishop-elect’s family and friends as well as parishioners and community members from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are also expected to attend.
The Holy Father Pope Francis named Father Mascord as the fifth Bishop of Wollongong on November 30.
He has recently been serving as a vicar-general of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and replaces Bishop Peter Ingham who submitted his resignation on his 75th birthday almost two years ago.
Bishop Ingham has served as a bishop for 25 years including the last 16 in Wollongong.
Bishop-Elect Mascord said many priests sought to emulate Bishop Ingham’s and he too admired his work and looked up to him as a pastoral priest and a pastoral bishop.
“I hope and pray that I will be able to continue with his example, build on what he has done in the Diocese and what he has achieved for the Diocese,” he said.
The diocesan organising committee, including clergy, staff and lay people such as the former general manager of the WIN Sports and Entertainment Centres Mr Stuart Barnes, have been busily planning the event since Pope Francis made the announcement in November.
Under Canon Law, the new bishop is required to be ordained within three months of the announcement.
The Diocese of Wollongong takes in the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and the Southern Highlands.
The ordination of the new Bishop of Wollongong is such a significant event in the Catholic church it will be streamed live.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP (Archbishop of Sydney) will be the principal consecrator, with the coconsecrators being Bishop Peter Ingham (Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wollongong) and Bishop William Wright (Bishop of Newcastle-Maitland).
It will be the first ordination of a bishop in the Diocese of Wollongong for 22 years.
Bishop Peter Ingham was already an auxiliary bishop when he was installed as the fourth bishop of Wollongong 16 years ago..
Mr Barnes said the huge number of expected attendees meant the ordination could not be held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Wollongong.
“The stained glass windows and two large icons that form the backdrop of the Cathedral will be recreated as giant banners at the WIN Entertainment Centre,” Mr Barnes said.
“The music is also expected to be spectacular on the night. Our diocesan band will be accompanied by the St Mary Star of the Sea College orchestra and a 50-strong diocesan choir. It’s definitely going to be a night to remember. It’s a free event and everyone is warmly invited to attend. For those that belong to a diocesan parish, school or community, we are encouraging them to RSVP directly with their community. For everyone else visit www.ordination.dow.org.au for more information and to RSVP.”
He said meeting people in the Diocese, getting to know them and sharing in their faith journey was his first priority.
Bishop-Elect Mascord was born and raised in Newcastle.
After being educated in Catholic schools, he gained a diploma of teaching at the Catholic College of Education in Castle Hill, spending six years teaching in a Catholic primary school.
He later continued his studies at St Patrick’s College in Manly and was ordained for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle in 1992, where he has spent his entire priestly ministry.
In addition to parish appointments across many parts of the Diocese, Bishop-Elect Mascord has served as vocations director since 2007 and has been Vicar General since 2012.
He has been a long-standing member of the Council of Priests and is currently a member of the diocesan Clergy Life and Ministry Team and the National Council for Clergy Life and Ministry.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
