Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish

January 23, 1980

DearFather Albert McKeogh,

     By the power of the Sacrament of Holy Order and in the image of Christ the eternal High Priest, priests and consecrated to God to preach the gospel, celebrate divine worship, and shepherd the faithful.

     As co-workers with their bishops, priests have as thier primary duty the proclamation of the gospel. Through the saving Word the spark of faith is struck in the hearts of unbelievers and fed in the hearts of the faithful. Toward all men priests have the duty of sharing the gospel truth, believing what they have read and meditated upon, teaching what they believe, and practising what they preach.

     God, through the ministry of bishops, consecrates priests so that they can share in a special way in the priesthood of Christ. The priest dedicates himself to the ministry of sanctification by his celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which is the source and apex of the whole work of preaching the gospel. In the Eucharistic Liturgy the priest acts in the person of Christ and by proclaiming his mystery joins the offering of the faithful to the sacrifice of Christ.

     As shepherds, priests gather together God's family as a brotherhood of living unity, and lwad it through Christ and in the Holy Spirit to God the Father. In building up the Christian Community priests must stand before their people as those who have come not to be servied but to serve. They must devote themselves to the spiritual growth of the Body of Christ.

     I hereby appoint you as the parish priest of the newly establised parish of St.Andrews whose patroness is Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

     I beg God's blessing upon you and the people whom yo will serve in the parish community.

     I remain,

     Yours sincerely in Christ

     William E. Murray

     Bishop of Wollongong.