South Shepparton parishioner, Anthony Holligan, has been received by Bishop Shane Mackinlay as a Candidate for the Permanent Diaconate, marking a significant step in his vocational journey and a first for the Sandhurst Diocese.
The Rite of Admission took place after the Homily during the 11:00 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral last Sunday, marking a mutual commitment from the Church, which affirmed the authenticity of Anthony’s vocational journey, and Anthony's declaration of resolve to continue preparing for Holy Orders, relying on God’s grace and the support of the faithful.
So why does this husband, father of five, grandfather of nine and Religious Education teacher at St Anne’s College in Kialla need to become a Permanent Deacon? Especially as he is already serving in his parish of South Shepparton as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, assisting with the parish sacramental program, facilitating formation for baptism, altar serving, helping around St Mel’s Church, and volunteering at Mercy Aged Care?
“I feel called,” answers Anthony, who seeks to step fully into the person God is calling him to be – configured as Christ the Servant. “It’s been a quiet, continuous nagging in the background of my life and, for a long time, I struggled to remain open to it, especially as I didn’t feel good enough. Also, it is human nature to ignore inconvenient things but, over time, I realised that I had to make space for discernment and be very conscious of this growing call.”
Central to Anthony’s journey to Holy Orders has been the encouragement and support of many people over many years. “I have felt the Holy Spirit speak through them," says Anthony, “and, at some point, I realised it’s now up to me; I have to make this happen.”
It was a difficult start for Anthony, as there was nowhere in the Diocese where he could “dip his toes in” to find out more about becoming a Permanent Deacon. “That’s the odd thing about it; I pursued something which had no path to it, but I still felt it was something I had to do.”
Anthony admits it might seem strange that he has never felt called to the priesthood, but feels called to the Diaconate. “It’s a unique ministry and a ministry in itself,” he says, describing it as a bridge between the secular world and the Church. “It’s a calling to bring faith and the Gospel to people in a very different way. It’s an outreach bringing Church to community,” he explains. “Bishop Shane put it well – a Deacon’s primary focus should be Ministry of Service to the community, complemented by altar service, rather than the other way around.”
In offering himself for ordination, a deacon submits to a deeper relationship with the Church for the sake of building up the Church and the Church’s mission. It is a lifelong commitment to proclaim the Gospel, assist at the altar, and be available in a particular way to works of charity and mercy.
A Permanent Deacon is not a substitute priest. Pope Francis consistently described permanent deacons as guardians of service within the Church, serving as a crucial reminder of the Church's missionary power of love and humility. He highlighted their identity as ministers of "service," distinct from the priesthood, and as a necessary antidote to clericalism, which places priests above the laity.
Eight years ago, when Anthony walked into the Chancery to talk about Holy Orders, with his beard, leather jacket and a motorbike helmet under his arm (he rides a Suzuki bandit 1200), Bishop Leslie Tomlinson was initially a tad surprised, but supportive nonetheless.
Fr Brian Boyle, Director of Clergy Life and Ministry at the time, suggested to Anthony that if he could get to Melbourne and start studying, they could work something out. However, a move from Wangaratta to Melbourne was too much for Anthony’s family at the time.
Then one day, Anthony’s wife, Liz came home from work and said, “If you still want to do this, then let’s do it.” So in December 2019 the couple moved to Melbourne where Liz found a job and, under the direction of Bishop Shane, who Anthony said is a “fantastic guide and teacher,” Anthony completed the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s formation program for Permanent Deacons.
Anthony has now completed all of the formation and five years of academic study satisfying the requirements of the Diaconate. He graduated with a Master of Theological Studies in 2023, (having already completed a Graduate Diploma in Theology and Master of Theology). He will now continue with his ministry as a Candidate until he is, hopefully, one day ordained a Deacon of Sandhurst by a new Bishop of Sandhurst.
Anthony brings a range of relatable experiences to his ministry in the Diocese. He started his adult life working in a textile mill in Wangaratta, he married his wife Liz in her home town Whourouly and started a family. After several years in Wangaratta, he joined the Air Force and moved to Adelaide with Liz and his children, where he became an avionics technician. In 2000, he returned to Wangaratta and commenced work as a high school teacher, a job he loves.
Reflecting on the years leading to his decision to seek Candidacy, Anthony believes there were many signs pointing him to the Diaconate. “At the first school where I worked, I was teaching maths, woodwork work and engineering design technology. So I was surprised when the principal said, ‘Hey, you’re a Catholic and you still go to Mass; you can teach Religious Education.’ I replied, ‘And that’s the depth of understanding of my faith!’ ”
Anthony went on to teach Religious Education, which led to a deep dive into faith and theology and, in turn, he became more involved in parish life. “I was a sacristan at Our Lady’s for a while,” remembers Anthony. “During this time, Fr Peter Ferwerda suggested I might want to think about becoming a Permanent Deacon. I’d never even heard of it, and dismissed it because I had kids at home, but he planted the seed.”
Bishop Les’ invitation to join the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Australian Fifth Plenary Council was another call, which helped Anthony see the Church in a wider context. Then there were nudges from parishioners and Fr Mike Pullar, his parish priest. “These people have all helped me to feel called, and have kept me walking on an often-challenging path,” says Anthony,
For Anthony, the essence of his calling boils down to the key takeaways of Christian life today. “For me, it comes down to that commandment of Jesus – ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. That’s the foundation of who we are and the core of my faith.”
“We can’t forget that it is through us that others see Christ, and we need to live that. It’s back to that very fundamental thing: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ ”
Anthony with Bishop Shane Mackinlay after Sunday Mass. his wife Liz stands next to Anthony. Left of photograph, are Anthony and LIz' youngest son LIm and his fiancée Molly.
