Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
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TOGETHERIn the Diocese of wagga.catholic.org.au FREE JULY 2020 Good things come to those who wait... BishopLiturgical Mark's Reception See full story on page 2... 2 INSTALLATION CEREMONY Bishop Mark Edwards OMI - Homily - 22 July 2020 Bishop Mark Edwards OMI gave the following homily at the Liturgical Reception and Solemn Mass held on 22 July 2020 – Feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene, grief stricken, was me what I need." And Our Lord was just looking for the body of Jesus and she waiting for this strength of desire; she comes to the gardener, as she thinks, to became within perhaps 8 years a spiritual ask him for the body. giant and for her sharing of this journey The first reading puts this in the context and experience, she is a doctor of the of a lover looking for her beloved, Church. searching everywhere. Jesus promises One of my friends is praying for me that that she who seeks finds and Mary, the I have the clarity of she who was the first seeker, encounters the Risen Christ. It is to recognise the Risen Christ. I pray for me an experience of deep and tender personal and for you that we also hunger and thirst recognition. Mary knows and is known. as she did, a renewed passion for the Lord "Mary" "Rabunni". And the next line after Jesus. the text of the first reading we are given is I think of the many in our world, in our the bride holds her groom and won't let him diocese, in our families who are searching go. She wants to take him to her house, a and perhaps are mourning. The Gospel clinging that Mary echoes in the Gospel. promises a fulness. How do we share and And, as much as Mary wants to meet Jesus, preach that fulness in a way that speaks to we know in faith that he much more wants the hunger of our people for transcendence true relationship with her. Chiara Lubich and fulness? We can have courage as we must have had some similar encounter: "I worship and share our encounter because would like to bear witness to the whole the Lord has arrived before us and is hard world that Jesus forsaken has filled every at work. void, illumined all darkness, annulled every Mary Magdalene, the apostle to the pain and wiped out every sin." apostles, be with us as we navigate this Bishop Edwards preaching the homily. How do we have this personal meeting mission and cling resolutely to Christ our with our Lord which we so deeply desire? Master. With you, we pray: "My soul is Perhaps, sometimes we have to be pushed thirsting for you, O Lord my God." down onto our knees and almost forced Most Rev Mark Edwards OMI to be open to this encounter. To know our Bishop of Wagga Wagga - 22 July 2020 own need and have the hunger of Mary Magdalene that searches and will not let go. St Theresa of Avila is one of my favourite saints. For many years she was not a bad religious but not a great religious either and she wanted to be more, to be better. One day she came across a new statue of the scourging of our Lord and, moved to her depths, fell on her knees and said to our Lord "I am not leaving until you give Sr Milada Nejman MC and Bishop Mark Edwards OMI. TOGETHER - JULY 2020 INSTALLATION CEREMONY 3 Letter of Appointment from Pope Francis His Excellency Most Rev Adolfo Tito C. Yllana, Apostolic Nuncio, read the Letter of Appointment from Pope Francis, in both Latin and English, at the Liturgical Reception. The English translation is included below: Francis, Bishop, Servant of the sent his Son for the forgiveness of Servants of God to Our Venerable our sins. We also live to love one Brother Mark Stuart Edwards another (cf I Jn 4, 1011), and with O.M.I., until now titular Bishop joy, according to his commandment, of Garba and Auxiliary of the rejoicing in the hope of eternity, metropolitan archdiocese of wherever and whenever we may Melbourne nominated Bishop of be. Because with God always near, Wagga Wagga, greetings and Our nothing further need concern us (cf St Apostolic Blessing. Augustine, Sermon 171, 1.3). God has loved us so much that he In reflection, guided by an attitude of His Excellency Most Rev Adolfo Tito C. Yllana reads the Letter of Appointment from Pope Francis. faith and pastoral reason with fatherly Brother, your clear spiritual and love, we have turned Our mind to the human gifts as auxiliary Bishop, spiritual needs of the flock of Wagga together with your skill in your work, Wagga Diocese which is now vacant which have shown us your suitability after the resignation of Our Venerable to fulfil greater responsibilities. Brother Gerard Joseph Hanna as we Therefore, having received the advice discern the provision of a new Pastor of the Congregation for Bishops, by and moderator of diocesan life. virtue of the fullness of Our Apostolic The Apostolic Nuncio presents the Letter of Appointment to the Diocesan Consultors. We have considered, Venerable Office, releasing you from the bond of leadership of the Titular Church and from the office of Auxiliary, we appoint you Bishop of Wagga Wagga, giving you the appropriate rights and obligations. You are to inform the clergy and people of this ecclesial community of Our decree. We exhort them to welcome you as a loved father, a teacher to whom they will listen, a respected guardian. Venerable Brother, feed this ecclesial community with joy, speaking of the Lord God of love, as a Crow prepares food for its young who cry out because they have none (cf Job 38:41). Led by your example may the community grow and become perfect, be united, live in peace (cf 2 Cor 13:11) and learn to become great in the sight of God. Given at Rome, at St Peter’s, on the twentysixth day of May, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty, the eighth of our pontificate. FRANCIS, Pope JULY 2020 - TOGETHER 4 INSTALLATION CEREMONY Bishop Mark Edwards OMI – Sixth Bishop of Wagga Wagga The Most Reverend Mark Edwards OMI was received as the sixth Bishop of Wagga Wagga during a Liturgical Reception and Solemn Mass at St Michael’s Cathedral, Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 22 July 2020. by Matt Humphrey The Liturgical Reception was history of the Church in Australia.” held on the Feast day of St Mary The Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Magdalene with limited numbers His Excellency Most Reverend in attendance due to current Adolfo Tito C. Yllana, read out the COVID19 restrictions. Apostolic Letter appointing the The solemn Mass was Most Reverend Mark Edwards OMI concelebrated with the archbishops Bishop of Wagga Wagga, first in and bishops who were able to Latin, then in English. travel, priests of the diocese of Archbishop Francis Carroll, Wagga Wagga and of other religious Emeritus Archbishop of Canberra congregations. and Goulburn, and Third Bishop of Arriving at the Cathedral, Wagga Wagga, handed the Dwyer Bishop Edwards was greeted by Crozier to Bishop Mark. Bishop a traditional Wiradjuri smoking Mark was escorted to the Cathedra ceremony and was then welcomed (Bishop’s Chair) by Archbishop by the Metropolitan Archbishop, Fisher and Archbishop Prowse, the Most Reverend Anthony Fisher where he took his place as Sixth who presented him to the Apostolic Bishop of Wagga Wagga. Administrator the Most Reverend Amongst those able to attend Christopher Prowse and his Delegate the Mass were a number of Civic Reverend Father Kevin O’Reilly. Dignitaries including Deputy Prime Following a Welcome to Country Minister and Member for Riverina, by Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Kath Michael McCormack, Member Withers, Archbishop Fisher for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr welcomed the intimate congregation PM, Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Greg declaring “Good things come Conkey OAM, and representatives to those who wait. Clearly Pope of other churches, agencies and Francis thinks Bishop Mark Edwards community groups. is a very good thing and so you’ve A virtual choir of students from waited nearly four years for him as Catholic schools across the diocese well as a COVID19 lockdown to performed “Insieme (Together)” make this, not only one of the most via video as representatives of the welcome installation ceremonies clergy, religious and laity of the but also one of the strangest in the diocese and its agencies, civic and Archbishop Francis Carroll hands the Dwyer Crozier to Bishop Mark. All photos taken by Matt Humphrey. The liturigcal reception began with a traditional smoking ceremony. Apostolic Nuncio Adolfo Tito Yllana holding the Letter of Appointment. TOGETHER - JULY 2020 INSTALLATION CEREMONY 5 religious leaders, welcomed the Bishop to his new role as shepherd of the people of Wagga Wagga. Bishop Edwards thanked the diocese for their patience over the years without a bishop and praised the efforts of Archbishop Prowse in overseeing the diocese. "I'm grateful to the people and clergy of the diocese who have made me so welcome and who have prayed for a bishop of the diocese," he said. "To be bishop of this diocese is a call from God through the church." After Communion, the Bishop thanked his family, friends, brother English and Wiradjuri. This is priests and all those who weren’t an appeal from St Eugene de able to attend today’s ceremony. Mazenod, founder of the Oblates The Bishop’s Coat of Arms to experience that we are features the motto ‘Learn who beloved children of God and that you are in the eyes of God’ in both He delights in us.