Joyous scenes as Stranorlar man Anthony Hartnett became the diocese's newest deacon

Family, friends and the wider parish and diocesan communities joined with the Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe, Dr Philip Boyce and members of the clergy from all over the diocese and beyond to celebrate the ordination to the diaconate of Anthony Hartnett at a special ceremony at the Church of Mary Immaculate in Stranorlar on Sunday.

The Wicklow native moved to Stranorlar with his family 10 years ago from Bray after his parents retired from their work as secondary school teachers. He was 18 years of age at the time and the second eldest of eight children when they moved to the parish.

Following his move, Anthony met with priests whom he said inspired him.

"After two years volunteering with NET Ministries, I began college and, at the same time, began to open my heart to being called to serve God as an ordained priest. In 2016 I began seminary in Maynooth and every summer I had the opportunity to work in a different parish in the diocese. Each new experience helped me to see if, on the one hand, God was actually calling me to the priesthood and if, on the other hand, it was for me.

"Among my pastoral placements, my most significant was in the Cathedral parish in Letterkenny and in the Mater Hospital as a trainee chaplain.

He has been working with Fr Gerard Cunningham and was until recently based in the parish of Iniskeel in Fintown.

Despite the inclement weather conditions outside, Sunday's ceremony was a heartwarming and joyous occasion with both the inside and outside of the local church adorned with Papal bunting and flags, appropriate decor and flowers.

The huge congregation at the ceremony also enjoyed the contributions of a very talented choir and soloists for the occasion.

In the liturgical sphere, the new deacon will confer baptism, assist at the altar during Mass, witness and bless sacramental marriages, bring Holy Communion to the sick, preside at funeral liturgies and carry out the rite of Christian burial. He will also be serving parishioners by presiding at other non-Eucharistic liturgies and leading the community in prayer in all kinds of different circumstances.

In his homily, Bishop McGuckian outlined the origins of the deacon and the new role he would now play as he prepared for priesthood.

"Anthony will have the authority to proclaim the Gospel and preach in church. When Anthony speaks people can expect to hear a word that they can rely upon as the Gospel truth, helpful for their lives as followers of Jesus. He will baptise people, bringing them into a new life in Christ. He will be authorised to conduct weddings and funeral services, representing Christ and his Church."

He explained how Deacon Anthony would also make three promises as part of the ordination rite.

"He will promise to be faithful to the Prayer of the Church, every day. He will promise to remain celibate for life. He will promise to be obedient to his bishop.

These are very serious things that go totally against the spirit of the culture in which we live. Why would any young man do it? We get a hint of what might be going on in the First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah. “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways not your ways – it is the Lord who speaks. Yes, the heavens are as high above earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8,9)

As you go forward, Anthony, be faithful to prayer. Ponder the Word of God every day and it will be your consolation in times of trial and your strength in times of weakness."

After the ceremony, the congregation joined with Deacon Anthony in the nearby parish centre for refreshments and messages of support as he set out on the final leg of his journey to the priesthood.