By Jamie O’Brien and Michelle Tan
Perth’s three new deacons were last week called to reflect on the openness of Mary, her humility and her listening to the Holy Spirit calling her.
In ordaining Jupiter Bin Justin, Gionata Pagani and Marco Ferraioli to the Order of the Diaconate, Thursday 23 May at St Mary’s Cathedral, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton said the three men have responded to the best of their abilities, human and spiritual, to an invitation to follow the call of the Lord.
Celebrating the Ordination on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, Bishop Sproxton was joined by con-celebrants Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn VG, several priests from across the Archdiocese and assisted by Deacon Paul Russell.
The three new Deacons who have trained at Redemptoris Mater Seminary have all come from overseas, including Italy and Malaysia.
Thirty-two-year-old Gionata Pagani, who originally hails from Piacenza, Italy, first came to Perth with his parents Gian-Pietro and Caterina in 2001 as a nine-year old, having been sent by then Pope John Paul II as a mission family for the Neocatechumenal Way.
The family with 14 children moved to Sydney in 2004 where they continue their ministry as a mission family, belonging to the parish of Redfern.
After finishing his schooling at Christian Brothers Lewisham in Sydney, Gionata studied Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney, finishing in 2013 before entering Redemptoris Mater Seminary in 2015.
In the lead-up to his ordination, Deacon Gionata has been serving in the parish of Port Kennedy.
Rome born 29-year-old Marco Ferraioli, also first came to Australia in October 2001, as a mission family in Melbourne, having been sent with his parents Alfonso and Laura, and four siblings by then Pope John Paul II.
The family later moved to Brisbane in 2005, where they continue their ministry as a mission family.
After finishing his schooling in 2012 at Mount Maria College, Brisbane, the now Deacon Marco studied a Bachelor of Business for two years at Queensland University of Technology, entering Redemptoris Mater Seminary in 2015.
Forty-year-old Jupiter from Sabah, Malaysia, entered the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in 2015. The fifth child of seven siblings, his family is a part of the Neocatechumenal Community in the city of Kota Kinabalu.
Prior to entering the Seminary, Jupiter owned his own business as a mobile phone and computer technician.
In 2015, he attended a vocational encounter in Manila, Philippines alongside other young men from different communities. Unsure of his vocation, he asked God at this meeting to show him a sign.
During this time, his business was burglarised, and he lost everything. While initially frustrated, he later realised that God wanted him to leave everything behind and follow His call to enter the seminary.
Prior to his ordination, Deacon Jupiter has been serving in the parish of Baldivis.
Continuing his homily for the Ordination, Bishop Sproxton told the three men that they are about to become deacons of the Archdiocese of Perth.
“More than ever before, this will be the church which will be your home,” Bishop Sproxton said.
“You will be missionaries wherever you are called to go by the Archbishop of Perth, either here or in other places.
“Please God, you will be found worthy to be called to the priesthood, and likewise you will be sent to those who will need your pastoral leadership, either here in this archdiocese or in other lands,” he said.
