On Sunday 16 July, Peter John Renwick, Justin Malewezi Jr and Brendan Kelly were ordained as deacons at a Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
Clergy, friends, family, and parishioners of the deacons joined together for Mass celebrated by Bishop Tom Neylon.
Deacon Peter, from the parish St John Vianney, Halewood, who is a retired telecommunications worker, said: “I am happily embedded in the life of the parish at both St Mark’s and Holy Family churches.
“As I take up my role as deacon there, I will never forget the quote from St Augustine. ‘Work as if everything depends on you, pray as if everything depends on God.’”
Deacon Justin is a native of Malawi in Africa. He serves in the parish of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and St Swithin’s, as well as the Likuni Parish back home in Malawi.
His father is the late Justin Malewezi, a senior politician in Malawi who served as vice president from 1994 to 2004.
On his father, Justin said: “My father taught me from a young age that ‘as a community, we need to look after each other’ and that ‘every person in society is valuable and should be respected.’ This is something I will live by in my role as a deacon.
“These values are important to me as I interact with people from diverse backgrounds. My wife, Emmie, and I strive to teach our children, Leoni and Maya, the importance of these values.
“For the past four years, they have been serving God by singing at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.”
Since his arrival in the UK, Justin has taught at both primary, secondary and college level at different institutions in England. Currently, he a lecturer at Edge Hill University.
Deacon Brendan works as a chaplain at Cardinal Heenan High School and serves in the parish St Mary’s Lowe House, St Helens.
He is of Irish descent and married to Paula, and has three children Katie, Eoin and Pearl.
Of his ordination, he said: “I consider it a great honour to be ordained a deacon and feel called to serve the Church. Jesus is our role model for service, he gave his whole life to save us from sin and death.”
Fr Chris Fallon, Director for the Permanent Diaconate, said: “It was an occasion full of joy.
“We welcome the three of them into their new role and keep them in our prayers as they continue their work in their parishes and the wider community.”
