Cardinal John Dew was formally installed as the Titular Parish Priest of Sant’ Ippolito – an historical tradition for Cardinals to be assigned a parish in Rome, much like a patron.
“It was a wonderful service, meeting parishioners of Sant’ Ippolito, and I was grateful to be surrounded by friends and colleagues from New Zealand who sang Mo Maria,” said Dew.
Cardinal John was given Sant’ Ippolito in the Nomentano-Italia quarter of Rome at his Consistory.
However he waited until he had some time in Rome to have an installation Mass and celebration.
He was in Rome for the meeting of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples to which he has recently been appointed.
“After Mass I had the opportunity to meet with several parish groups and was very impressed with the amazing involvement of people of all ages and the way the parish reaches out to so many people.”
“After a shared lunch I was able to thank the people for their welcome and tell them that I thought I had been assigned the best Parish because it is so alive and so many people involved in a huge variety of parish apostolates.”
“I gave my homily in Italian, which has been improving with the help of lessons.”
“Fr James Lyons, Parish Priest of Wellington’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart has encouraged the parish to think of Sant’ Ippolito as their “sister parish” much like the tradition of sister cities, and has been sending parish newsletters to them so they can come to know what parish life is like here in Wellington.”
“I have also been sending them my own fortnightly newsletter. I hope that the two communities can foster a friendship and reminds each of the universality of our Church family.”
“Perhaps visitors from both sides of the world will include a visit to their “sister parish” in their travels.”
Source
- Supplied NZCBC
- Image: Supplied by Fr Albano Da Costa, SVD who had been living in Wellington, NZ until recently and is now studying in Rome.