Scottish Catholic Observer

It was a triple celebration for Aberdeen’s Catholic community last week, as they welcomed two new priests and a permanent deacon to the diocese on July 6.

Many gathered in St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen on Friday for the ordination of Fr Emmet O’Dowd, Fr Rafał Szweda, and Deacon Douglas Duncan.

Led by Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen Diocese along with Bishop Emeritus Peter Moran, it proved to be wonderful occasion, as the congregation joined in prayer as the three men were ordained to their priestly and diaconal ministries.

“Stories about a Scotsman, an Irishman, and a Pole are not the fashion these days,” said Bishop Gilbert in his homily. “But we can give thanks for our three men and their varied backgrounds: one from not so far from the waves and gulls of the Atlantic, another from the shores of the North Sea, another from the marches of western Poland.

“One for many years shepherding the facts and figures of a construction company, another—when not on a bicycle—packaging pharmaceutical remedies, another occasionally seen at the wheel of a forklift truck.

“Aberdeen, Elgin, Inverness: three spiritual homes. It is really all very remarkable, ‘amazing’ as one of my brethren at Pluscarden would remark. Glory be to God for dappled things, as the poet says.

“Yes, we do ‘praise him’—for each of you, dear ordinands, for the different ways you have picked up the parallel calls, caught the music as it were and begun to sing it; for responding generously, preparing assiduously and today saying ‘present.’

“In a moment, SS Doug Duncan will slide down the slipway and be launched on the sea of souls, ready to fish. In a moment, the Szweda forklift truck will go into gear and roads to God be laid, and O’Dowd’s treasure chest of spiritual and sacramental medicines be opened for us, along with cups of Barry’s tea, served perhaps from the back of a bicycle.

“This is a moment of joy: for you, for us deacons, priests and bishops, for all of us, not to mention the angels and beyond. Here is a trinity of persons and a unity in service.”

The bishop went on to explain the meaning and significance of the prayers of ordination, and made a poignant reference to the late Fr Peter MacDonald, who died recently after just two years of priesthood.

“The river that gives joy to the city of God flows on,” he said. “Doug, Emmet and Raf—in two distinct, related ways —you are becoming today in a new way God’s fellow-workers, ‘fellow-workers of the truth.’”

Bishop Gilbert went on to compare the Church to the image of the moving train, and the role of the priest in keeping the train running on track.

“I hope you won’t mind this image. Perhaps the Church is like a train, travelling through time to the terminus of the heavenly Jerusalem, running on the tracks of the two great commandments, making disciples, picking up passengers, stopping at the stations of the centuries,” he said. “Where are the clergy? The driver? Well, you might say so: the munus regendi.

“The ticket-inspector? Many think of the clergy like that. I suppose it is a task to remind of the cost of discipleship: munus docendi.

“Or the good soul who pushes the refreshment trolley through the train, offering the consolation of the Sacraments: munus sanctificandi? Well, there’s a thought.

“But a train needs wheels. And the wheels bear the weight of the train, and we bear the suffering of our fellow-believers. The wheels must stay on track, and so must we through prayer and obedience. Most of all the wheels must just keep turning, 24/7, day after day, doing what’s required of us, thrusting forward, finding future paths.

“And so today, that trim fishing vessel, SS Doug Duncan, is launched. The forklift truck starts on its way. The pharmaceutical cyclist sets off.”

The three men expressed their gratitude on the special occasion in their Faith lives to both God and the many others who helped them along the way on their journey to living out their vocation.

Deacon Duncan thanked ‘all those who have helped me down the path God has prepared for me,’ including his late wife Denise, adding that was ‘sure she will be smiling down on proceedings today.’

He thanked his mother Jane, son Daniel, daughter-in-law Victoria and their three children Grace, Ivy and Findlay. “Without their loving support and the many sacrifices made on my behalf, I would never have made it,” he said.

He also spoke of the Apostleship of the Sea for whom he is a chaplain, the seafarers who have given him ‘the encouragement and inspiration’ to realise his vocation, to Fr Gabor, his spiritual director, those involved in the diaconal programme, Deacon Tony, and his fellow students.

“Finally, I thank God Almighty, for calling me to the Catholic Faith, for marking out my path as an ordained minister, to serve His people,” he added. “He is my guiding light, and without Him I can do nothing on my own.”

The new Fr O’Dowd thanked Bishop Gilbert for ordaining him and Bishop Moran who first accepted him as a seminarian for the diocese, the priests and deacons who gathered on the evening, and extended a special thanks to the new Fr Rafał, ‘who has shared this journey to ordination with me from beginning to end.’

“I would like to thank my family, especially my parent Seamus and Fiona, for the love, support, and prayers which I have received from them over the years, and for all the sacrifices they have made for me along the way,” he said. “I am grateful too to my friends, especially those who were able to be here this evening, for their support and friendship along the way.

“The support, prayers and encouragement I have received from my parish priest Fr James and from my parish have also been an enormous source of strength. Finally, I would like to thanks those I have come to know during these past seven years in Rome. Thank you for your friendship, your fraternity and your prayers.”

Fr Szweda too gave ‘thanks to God for bringing me to this day of ordination, recognising in the many signs of his providence that he has shown to me,’ and remembering in a particular way those who have helped him on the road to ordination, especially his mother, grandparents, all family members and friends.

“I think Bishop Hugh Gilbert for ordaining me today and for the trust and confidence that he has had in me, and the many fatherly kindnesses he has shown me,” he said. “Much of my formation in preparation for priesthood took place at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome and I am appreciative of all that the formation staff and the whole college community gave to me during the past seven years.

“Finally this evening’s celebration would not have been possible without the hard and dedication work of so many people. I thank sincerely Joyce Webster, the staff of the diocesan office, Fr Keith Herrera, and the staff and parishioners of the cathedral parish for all that they have done.

“It is not possible to thank everyone who has played a part in this evening and indeed who has helped in any way to bring me to this day, but I ask the Lord’s blessing upon you all.”