Deacon Roderick Pirotta, 2 May 2024
Deacon Roderick Pirotta has a unique ministerial role in his diocese: he is the Pastoral Director of the Sacred Heart Parish in Mount Druitt South, a diverse suburb of Western Sydney. He was called there two and half years ago, after he retired from nursing, and he has “never felt so at peace.” Although he has taken on many of the responsibilities of a parish leadership role, he feels that, as a deacon, he brings a special opportunity and value. His formation has been in the wider world, with a “broader church” and he brings all of the talents he has gained from rich practical experience.
Recently, Roderick heard a homily about Christian pastoral leadership: going in front, alongside and behind the flock of sheep. And he reflected that, as a deacon, “you have the advantage of being with the sheep.” Nevertheless, it remains important to realise visions and guide the community. Bishop Vincent Long strongly emphasises that deacons are leaders in the Church – they do not simply make up for lack of priests.
Now, as Director of Formation for the Diaconate, Roderick helps to enable the calling that has taken hold of him. Faith was always a very strong part of his life, as a cradle Catholic. He grew up close to the novitiate of the Jesuits in his village in Malta. Roderick often walked past there with his father and sometimes helped them harvest their potatoes. At the age of 21, he entered the order as a Brother Jesuit and, after a while, was sent to Dublin in Ireland to study nursing. He had 7 years with them, until almost the end of his nursing degree. However, although he joined the Brothers to follow Christ more closely, he felt that was no longer the best pathway for him to continue to do that.
Leaving religious life was very hard, as Roderick had no home or money in a foreign country. This gave him some experience of being homeless and relying on God’s providence. A friend “saved him” and allowed him to survive while finishing his degree. “More than any novitiate”, this helped Roderick appreciate life on the margins, detachment and trusting in God.
In 1991, Roderick moved to Australia and specialised in mental health for the elderly. He worked in the field for 35 years, in particular those with dementia. In 1994, he married Kathryn, his “lifeline” throughout his life and ministry. It was a big challenge to learn that they could not have children, but he has found that the “Lord speaks in different ways.”
Then when Roderick was 50 years old, he was feeling “fed up with nursing” and wondering what to do next. He had always wanted to study theology, but had no further plans. He was visiting an ex-Jesuit friend in Malta who said, “If there were deacons in Malta, I would become a deacon.” Suddenly Roderick realised, “That’s it! That’s what I want to do!” On return to Australia, he started enquiring and studying for the diaconate program. There was a “particularly tough” crisis during this formation time, when it seemed like he and his peers might not be ordained. However, he was supported by his family and nursing friends, he spoke up and things turned around. They were all ordained on February the 22nd 2019 by Bishop Vincent for the Parramatta Diocese.
Since then, Roderick has ministered in the Cathedral parish and now his current Sacred Heart. This parish had been about to close down, and there were many challenges. For everyone, it was a “new concept that a deacon would be in charge of a parish.” Yet, through the Bishop, he felt called by God and has relished the experience. To start with, Roderick worked very long hours, 6 days a week, greatly assisted by Kathyrn’s moral, psychological, spiritual and practical support. Although he had been in senior nursing positions, he identifies the difference between a job and a ministry. Despite problems, he now feels healthier and more optimistic: “it frees you completely.”
Roderick firmly believes in the sacrament of ordination. “I am a different man from the nurse I was before.” Yet rather than ontological change, it is about strength and grace to live his vocation. Like St Paul, he can say, “It is not me, but Christ in me.” He is much more open to accompanying people with other spiritualities and bringing his life experience into the role. As he told Bishop Vincent, “I can only be myself.”
Liturgy on the Margins 