Mass of Induction of Father David Cartwright
as Parish Priest of Moreland

Celebrated at St Fidelis, Moreland
on Friday, 24th March, 2006, at 7.30pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am delighted to return to Saint Fidelis’ to formally induct Father David Cartwright as your Parish Priest.

We usually think of Lent as the time when we give up things.  It is true that some forms of penance and self denial are important parts of our spiritual discipline.  But Lent is also the time for us to turn to God, in many ways.  Hosea tells us in the first line of the first reading, “Come back to the Lord your God”.  That is the call of Lent.  To come back to God.

I now ask that Father Cartwright’s  letter of appointment be read.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tonight I am happy to be with you to formally install Father Cartwright as your Parish Priest.  He is the one whom I have sent to you to bring you to God.  As the chief pastor and teacher of this Archdiocese, I have the responsibility to care for all people.  Accordingly, I appoint co-workers to help me in this work of the care of souls.  I know Father Cartwright well and I know that he will do his best to bring you closer to God, not just during Lent, but all year round.

I have known your Parish Priest for many years; I ordained him a Deacon, and was present at his ordination and first Mass.  He worked for me for a number of years as my Prefect of Ceremonies.  I know that he will do his best and I know that he can count on your prayers and support.

He is very fortunate to be inheriting such a good parish.  You have had a holy and hard working priest in Father Fitzpatrick for 22 years.  He left the parish in good shape and you are all the better for it.

I have sent Father Cartwright as his successor as I know that he will continue the good work that Father Fitzpatrick began.  I know that you will support his initiatives and all that he undertakes in leading you to the Lord.

We respect his ability to lead and his generosity in coming to be with you.  I pray that you will welcome him, support him in the leadership which he must give in all aspects of parish life – worship, teaching, school, management of parish resources, so that Saint Fidelis’ will be a place of faith and strong Christian living.  I hope that his presence among you will be a constant reminder that God in his wonder goes beyond all that we might hope for and that it is him whom we search to see revealed in the transforming of your hearts.

Together with Pope Benedict and his Archbishop, Father Cartwright will strive to serve you faithfully and generously.  I urge you to welcome him and to remember of course the larger areas of responsibilities which he now has.

The priesthood is instituted by Jesus Christ to continue his ministry and mission in the world.  I certainly hope that there are young men in this parish who will hear the Lord’s call to serve Him in the priesthood – a most wonderful and fulfilling vocation.

I want to reflect particularly on the work of your parish priest.  Jesus himself said, ‘I am the gate’.  A priest is invited into a mysterious gift of self to Jesus Christ.  When Father Cartwright received ordination as a deacon and as a priest, his personal and public consecration in celibacy and service of his people assumed a new dimension.
         
At Easter we celebrate the death and resurrection of the Saviour.  Each priest dies to himself, places his words and personality at the Lord’s service as he rises to offer the new life that only the Lord can give to us. 

Through his celebration of the Eucharist the saving action of Jesus Christ in the cross comes to us.  The Eucharist celebrated, adored and brought to the sick is Christ present among us.

A priest is another Christ.  The Eucharist is tremendously important because here our human lives are directed to God, who fills them with meaning.

In a few moments Father Cartwright will open the tabernacle and adore the Blessed Sacrament.  He will be taken to the baptismal font to show that through his ministry new members will be given to God’s Church to be filled with his life.  I will take him to the Confessional where he is invited to be the minister of peace and forgiveness in the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I urge you all to use it well.

We will become before an image of Our Lady and the Saints to remind us that we are brothers and sisters in the family of God’s Church and Father Cartwright will renew his promise of obedience made on the day of his ordination. 

We cannot underestimate the praise of God and the service of people given by one who dedicates his whole life to us and to bringing us to God. 

The words of Saint John in his Gospel, “The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep”, (John 10:11) are a reminder that all that Father Cartwright does is for your welfare.  In visiting the sick, in leading you in love of God and strength, Father Cartwright will make present the love and concern for you, which I have as a bishop and a successor of the apostles.

I know he will draw into the service of God and His Church, those who will work in pastoral activities, those who will visit and console their brothers and sisters, those who make Saint Fidelis’ Parish such a living and vibrant organism.  I thank you for all that you do and for the support and welcome, which you give to Father Cartwright on this most important night.

Father Cartwright is a priest of God to lead us to Him.  He is a teacher of the entire faith, which Jesus Christ entrusted to the Church, even those matters which are challenging and difficult to accept. 

He is a shepherd and guide of God’s people charged with drawing people to Jesus Christ.  He involves them in the work of the apostolate and supports them in the faith of the Church.  On your behalf I thank him for accepting this challenge. 

My prayer for you, priest and people, is that you will be a parish community, built on prayer and the faith of Jesus Christ, faithful to the Church and seeking to serve those in need.  May Christ, the High Priest and Good Shepherd, be your model during this Lenten journey and beyond.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.