New Acolyte continues faith-filled legacy
By Wendy Shaw
A Kings Meadows parishioner is continuing a faith-filled family tradition as he takes up his new role as Acolyte in the Kings Meadows Parish.
The Acolyte installation of James (Jim) Byrne took place at the Vigil Mass at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Youngtown by Archbishop Julian.
It was also the realisation of a long-held yearning to serve in this position, as Mr Byrne explained.
“It is something that I have always wanted to do since I started being an altar server,” he said.
“My father, Basil Byrne Senior, was the first Acolyte in Tasmania. He served in Queenstown. My elder brother, Basil Byrne Junior, was also an acolyte [in the Claremont Parish].
“Dad was made an Acolyte in the 1960s by the Late Archbishop Sir Guilford Young and remained an acolyte on the West Coast until he passed away in 1994.”
Mr Byrne has been a St Peter’s parishioner for more than 25 years, where he is also parish treasurer and on the finance and parish pastoral committees. He has been a Eucharistic minister for 13 years and an altar server for 12.
Youngtown Parish Administrator Fr Damien Sladen welcomed Mr Byrne’s installation and explained how it came about.
“I am sure that with his presence in this new ministry, the parish will gain spiritually,” Fr Sladen said.
“Mr Byrne was fulfilling the role of a Extraordinary Minister for the distribution of Holy Communion, and helping the priest for many parts of the Eucharistic celebration. I noticed that with a little input about the ministry of Acolyte, he would be ready for this role.
“I am happy that His Grace Archbishop Julian acknowledged Mr Byrne’s desire to serve the church … in this role at a time when we find the numbers dwindling in many of our churches. This is an inspiration for others to volunteer to serve.”
Mr Byrne said he found the new role ‘very satisfying’.
“It helps me to take part in more special ministries in our parish by assisting Fr Damien at special masses and funerals.
“I am very thankful to Fr Damien for all the training he has given me. He has helped me tremendously in learning more about receiving and distributing the Blessed Sacrament, serving at the altar, and preparing of the altar for masses.
“I would like to thank Archbishop Julian Porteous for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend Kings Meadows Parish to install me as an Acolyte.”