Richard Houwing ordained to the diaconate after seven year journey

William McInnes

Richard Houwing became the newest deacon in the Diocese of Broken Bay, answering a call from God to ordained ministry which he had heard seven years earlier.

In a Mass attended by more than 100 people, Bishop Anthony Randazzo ordained Richard to the Order of the Diaconate at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara, on 6 June, the feast day of St Philip, the deacon, one of the first 7 deacons appointed by the 12 Apostles.

Philip was the first missionary to be given the title of "evangelist" in the bible.

More than 30 clergy from across the Diocese were in attendance for the special occasion. The Mass was concelebrated by Fr David Ranson (Vicar General of Broken Bay), Fr Brendan Lee (Moderator of the Cathedral), Fr Raphael Kimaro AJ (Parish Priest of Pennant Hills), and Fr Jim KcKeon (Director of Programme of Formation for Diaconate).

The choir from Richard’s parish of Pennant Hills provided the music for the Mass, as clergy, seminarians, friends, family and parishioners joined to celebrate the first ordination in the Diocese in over a year.

After Richard stepped forward to be elected, Bishop Anthony used his homily to reflect on the universal call to evangelise, which must start by knowing, loving and imitating Jesus Christ.

“As a deacon, Richard will bring the good news of Jesus to others, on the street, in the prison, at the bus stop, in the supermarket,” he said.

“He will also evangelise as he proclaims God’s word, ministers baptism, witnesses holy matrimony and assists the bishop and the presbyters at the Eucharist. In all that he does, he will endeavour to reflect the love of Christ himself, who came, not to be served, but to serve.” prayer and dialogue with God, for you, for the community of believers, and for the salvation of the world.”

Bishop Anthony reminded Richard his call to the diaconate was not just about service, but also about prayer.

“Richard, as deacon, you will join the bishops and priests who have had the Liturgy of the Hours entrusted to them,” he said.

“The Church commissions you to intercede on behalf of the whole community of the Church, and in particular the Church of Broken Bay. It is not an imposition rather it is a joy.

Bishop Anthony referenced the first reading of Acts 8:1-8, which spoke of the persecution faced by the early Church, but also spoke of the strength of Philip, the deacon, who continued to preach in the face of this adversity.

“The first reading for the Mass illustrates a world in chaos,” he said. It was one of severe persecution against the Church in Jerusalem. This aggression had the effect of scattering those who believed in Jesus Christ.

“Philip, the deacon, whose feast we commemorate today, was one who did not run or hide, nor was his voice silenced by fear or intimidation. In the face of opposition, he courageously proclaimed Christ to the world.

“So great was his faith and so deep was his love for the risen Lord, that when he spoke, we are told that the crowds ‘with one accord listened eagerly’.”

Bishop Anthony said the reading should serve as an inspiration for Richard’s diaconal life and ministry.

“Allow Saint Philip, the deacon, to accompany you, to guide you, and to inspire you,” he said.

“By doing so, you will publicly attest to a life of service to God’s holy people and a ministry of evangelisation in the world. Richard, the life of discipleship to which you are called is a daily configuration to Jesus Christ – always becoming aware that, like earthenware jars; you hold a treasure of inestimable value.”

Following the homily, Richard lay prostrate in front of Bishop Anthony, while those in the church prayed the Litany of Saints.

Bishop Anthony then laid hands on him, before his wife Teresa and Gail Gill (a member of the diaconate formation team) brought forward his Stole and Dalmatic and he was vested for the first time, with assistance from Deacon Kevin Hale.

He then joined Bishop Anthony at the altar to assist in the celebration of the Eucharist for the first time as an ordained man.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Richard thanked family, friends, Bishop Anthony, his formators in the Diaconate program and the people of Broken Bay.

“For you to be here in whatever form carries so much meaning and I am deeply touched being able to share this time together,” he said.

“This ordination brings forth an outpouring of the Holy Spirit for me and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit for you, because you are present. May we go on with that same spirit.”

The evening concluded with many parishioners and friends mingling in the courtyard of the Church, taking photos with Richard and congratulating him on his ordination.

The journey to ordination began in 2016, following an encounter with Deacon Peter McCulloch at Proclaim

Conference during a time in Richard’s life when he was struggling with several things, including his spiritual growth. It sparked a desire to consider the permanent diaconate.

“I had known Deacon Peter since the late 1980s,” said Richard. “He took the initiative to discuss the Diaconate because of our past friendship.”

He joined the Diaconate Formation Team in 2019 and on 18 May 2023, Bishop Anthony Randazzo announced he would be ordained to the Order of Diaconate, after completing a Masters in Theological Studies.

Born in 1958 in Vlaardingen, The Netherlands, Richard migrated to Australia in his youth, living initially in the Rockhampton area. He married his wife Teresa in December 1980. They had two children, a son and a daughter.

The family moved in NSW in 1980, buying their first home in Epping, and were active members of the Parish of Pennant Hills, with Richard being a reader, Parish Council Member, involved with RCIA, coordinating Lenten groups and adult faith formation.

Richard said he never felt the tug of discernment towards priesthood during his early life and added he had experiences and the Diaconate will play out is exciting,” he said.

“While creating and nurturing families is following God’s plan for our lives, these joys and challenges of family life are inescapable, and they are not transactional with incidental consequences. The joys and challenges of family life resonate in our lives for many years and build our character. It is this character that I wish to offer as service in my diaconal life.”

His ordination is timely time for the Diocese of Broken Bay, following the retirement of Deacons Kevin Hale and Paul Simmons.

Richard encouraged others to consider a calling to the diaconate and said the experience had been transformational in his faith.

“The journey has changed me,” he said.

“The highly experienced formation team gently nurtured and challenged me. They gave me room to explore my faith in a contemporary setting. My theological studies at Broken Bay Institute helped me develop a more meaningful relationship with biblical Jesus, and a deeper understanding of myself and my place in the world. These are