Image: Adrain Gomez (Left: Deacon Adrian Gomez, Sarah Gomez, Sonia Gomez, Emily Gomez, and Bishop Stuart Hall )
Army Chaplain in training Sonia Gomez Lopez was instituted into the Ministry of Acolytes on Saturday, 7 November, during a solemn Vigil Mass that highlighted deep community ties, unique inter-service military connections, and the profound impact of spiritual leadership.
The liturgy, celebrated within the local parish, marked a pivotal milestone in Gomez Lopez’s journey towards chaplaincy, drawing together clergy and family. Her installation serves as a powerful reminder of how a calling to military chaplaincy can unite communities, bridge diverse worlds, and provide purposeful, life-changing support to those who serve our nation.
The Principal Celebrant, Stuart Hall, installed Gomez Lopez directly within the heart of the parish community, showcasing how chaplains remain deeply rooted in the people they serve. During the service, Bishop Hall took the opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to the parishioners and the wider community for their unwavering support and dedicated service to Gomez Lopez throughout her spiritual formation. Special recognition was given to Fr Thomas Stevens for his fundamental role in guiding and shaping her pastoral development, highlighting the collaborative and deeply rewarding mentorship that defines the chaplaincy pathway.
The Mass featured a moving display of collaborative ministry at the altar, illustrating the vibrant, supportive, and diverse network available to those who step into military ministry. Bridging different branches of the ADF and global missionary orders, the sanctuary came alive with shared purpose. Deacon Adrian Gomez, a part-time Navy Chaplain who also holds an active ministry within the Diocese of Parramatta, assisted at the altar at the express invitation of the bishop. The joint presence of an Army Chaplain in training and a Navy Chaplain brought a profound sense of military-spiritual camaraderie to the sanctuary, showcasing the unique bonds formed across the services. Additionally, Fr Pat Ambrose—a priest belonging to the Missionaries of Charity Fathers, the religious order founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta—con-celebrated the Eucharistic liturgy, adding a rich missionary dimension to the celebration.
The Institution of Acolytes is a critical step for candidates preparing for chaplaincy and holy orders, tasking them with assisting priests and deacons at the altar and distributing Holy Communion. For Sonia Gomez Lopez, this installation stands as a testament to her formation, the strength of her parish community, and a supportive network spanning the Army, Navy, and global missionary frameworks. It underscores the dynamic, multi-faceted nature of modern chaplaincy—a vocation that offers a profound opportunity to make a tangible difference on the frontlines of pastoral care.
The entire military ordinariate community extends its warmest congratulations to Sonia on her installation, wishing her a bright, fulfilling, and highly successful future in her pastoral services to the personnel of our Australian Defence Force. Her journey stands as an inspiring invitation to anyone seeking a career of deep meaning, service, and spiritual leadership within the military community.
By MO Media Team