On Sunday 15th February 2015, two fifth-year seminarians, Michael Grima (St Laurence Parish) and Carl Scerri (Gozo Cathedral) received the Ministry of the Lectorate,.
Bishop Mario Grech bestowed the ministry to Michael and Carl during Mass at the Basilica of Maria Bambina, in Xagħra. Various priests, including the formators of the Seminary, concelebrated. The celebration was attended also by relatives of the seminarians and people from the parish of Xagħra, the Gozo Cathedral, St Laurence and Xewkija, where Carl Scerri is doing pastoral work.
Following the reading of the Gospel, the Rector presented the candidates and Bishop Grech accepted them as Lectors. In the homily, the Bishop reflected on the Gospel of the day, (the healing of the leper, Mk 1,40-45) and on extracts from the Lenten Pastoral 2015, which was being read that day in all the churches of the diocese. The Bishop invited the faithful not to be afraid of reaching out to Jesus to be healed, since Jesus loves us all, especially sinners. Jesus came to lead us away from our mistaken mentality that God does not forgive and that he turns away from the sinner. Bishop Grech turned to the new Lectors and invited them to discard this mentality and seek to spread the Good News to all, especially to those who “wail”.
After the homily, Bishop Grech prayed upon the candidates and presented the Bible to them. At the end of the Mass, the Bishop presented the new Rector, Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP, to the congregation.
Images: Ray Grech
