Two new permanent deacons ordained for Arundel & Brighton

(L-R) Deacons Simon South and Dominic Dring with Bishop Richard Moth © A&B Diocese 2020

On Tuesday, 14th July, Dominic Dring and Simon South were ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Richard Moth on Arundel Cathedral.

The ceremony was very different from normal, in that, only their wives Helen and Lynne together with a few priests and 11 fellow deacons plus friends and family including their children were able to gather to celebrate with them due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many others joined in the celebration via the Arundel Cathedral YouTube Channel which live-streamed the ordination.

Deacon Dominic is from Henfield, West Sussex and Deacon Simon from Rye in East Sussex where they live with their families.

Dominic has been married to Helen for 27 years and has three children. while volunteering for three years in Ghana, and from there went on to qualify as a Social Worker, establish and lead the Emmaus Community in Brighton and, after many years in school chaplaincy, now work as a chaplain in Ford and Lewes prisons.

Simon is married to Lynne with five daughters and 11 grandchildren. He became a Catholic 11 years ago having spent many of his early years feeling something was missing in his life and eventually realising that his home was as a Christian in the Catholic Church. Having worked in the retail industry for many years he is now Family Group Adviser for the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, supporting families in parishes in their faith.

They were accepted for formation as deacons for the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton four years ago and while they continued to the work they carried out part-time studies at St John's Seminary, Wonersh, Guildford, Surrey.

Dominic is to continue in his role as Chaplain in Ford and Lewes prisons, and Simon as Family Group Adviser but also attached to the parish of Rye alongside Fr Matthew Chadwick OFM Conv.

Deacon Simon said: "I thank the Lord for all He has done for me and am overjoyed to have said Yes to His call."

Deacon Dominic said: "I am anticipating with enthusiasm how our great God will mold and use me in this new chapter, and how, in turn I pray I will come to know him more clearly..."

Bishop Richard said: "It was a real joy for me to ordain both these men to the diaconate. I look forward to working with them over the coming years and to supporting them in their ministry among all people in the Diocese, especially those in need. May God grant them a blessed and fruitful ministry, and inspire other men to offer themselves for the diaconate in this Diocese."

LINK

Diocese of Arundel & Brighton - www.dabnet.org