Catholic Diocese of Broome

The ordination, inside St Paul’s Basilica.
Photo: G Thomas

The Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome is the burial place of the great apostle after whom it is named. On the Feast of the Sacred Heart (19 June), the beautiful basilica was bustling with crowds of pilgrims and tourists as it always is. An orchestra tuned their instruments in readiness for a rehearsal in honour of the Year of St Paul which was set to close on 29 June 2009, and in welcome of the Year of the Priest, so proclaimed by the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, for the benefit of the universal Church.

At approximately 10am, eight men from the Beda College made their way through the magnificent building to the Sacristy in preparation for their ordination as Deacons. They ranged in ages from their early forties to their late sixties, having come from a variety of backgrounds and personal circumstances. Some candidates had grown children of their own, who were in attendance this day, and fittingly they prayed during the ritual to the memory of their deceased wives. Those to be ordained were representative of five continents – two Englishmen, two Australians, an American, a citizen from Zimbabwe, one from Malaysia and a candidate for a monastery in Mexico.

John Purnell was the candidate from the Diocese of Broome has now completed three years at the Beda College. After his ordination he will have one year of studies to finish, in Rome, in preparation for priesthood.

John Purnell (L), his mother Jacqueline and Bishop Christopher Saunders.

John, who once studied for Ministry in the Anglican Church, hails from Newcastle in NSW, is the only son of Jacqueline and the late Herbert Purnell. Having experienced a number of different jobs John presented as a volunteer at Balgo where he worked with Father Matt Digges. During his preparation for ministry, John has also spent time in Derby Parish in addition to accompanying the Cross and Icon through the Diocese in preparation for World Youth Day last year. Rev Deacon Purnell made a major contribution to the administration of the WYD pilgrimage when he showed outstanding leadership of the one hundred and twenty pilgrims from the Kimberley who attended the festival in Sydney in July 2008.

Rev Deacon John (L) with Fr Matthew Digges.

Bishop Saunders of Broome Diocese ordained the eight candidates to the Diaconate having travelled to Rome for the occasion. Also from the Kimberley in attendance were Father Matt Digges, Administrator of the Broome Cathedral and two teachers from Balgo, Margaret English and Karen Prevett.

Many thanks are due to Jacqueline, John’s mother, who was in Rome for the ordination. She has been wonderfully supportive of John’s vocation and generous in her gift of a son to the Church. Thanks are also due to Monsignor Rod Strange, the Rector of the Beda College, and his staff, who are responsible for John’s formation. Their hospitality towards the visiting Australian contingent was outstanding and greatly appreciated.

It was a special occasion, long to live in the memory of those present at the famous basilica that day. For the Rev John Purnell it was a huge step forward in his quest to serve his Lord and God. He is now a Minister of the Word and the Altar and of special service. He is belonging to the first of the Orders in the Church – Deacon, Priest and Bishop – and is incardinated in the Diocese of Broome.

We wish Rev Deacon John every blessing and success in his future ministry and in his studies.