It was a dream come true for Waitakere resident Amail Habib as he was ordained as a Priest by Bishop Ross Bay at St Michael and All Angels Church on June 13.
More than 160 people braved the heavy downpour to be with him on the special occasion.
Bishop Ross was accompanied by Archdeacon Howard Leigh to lead a procession of clergy to conduct the 90-minute ceremony.
Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, Labour MPs Chris Carter and Carmel Sepuloni were among the dignitaries who attended the Service.
A number of people representing different aspects of Church life participated in the Service, making it a solemn occasion.
During the Mass, Bishop Ross said Priest Amail will undertake a larger commitment and perform even the smallest of task in the service of the Lord and the community.
He presented Mr Habib with the Letters of Orders, License to practice as Priest and a personalised copy of the New Testament.
Archdeacon Howard and Ashley Mall of the Parish commended the ordained Priest on behalf of the Pakistani Christian community to the Bishop as per the religious practice.
Priest Amail’s son Dr Boaz led the Prayer Service on behalf of the family and his second son Amoon read the Holy Scripture.
Mr Habib has been a member of the Parish for the past 15 years, serving the community in various capacities. He was the Vicar’s Warden until recently.
A postgraduate in Applied Mathematics and a graduate in Education, he has worked in the education sector, including a 19-year stint in Dubai. He is currently employed by Bayleys Real Estate in its Titirangi office.
Last month the Annual General Meeting of the Waitakere Ethnic Board elected him to the post of President.
Photo:
Dr Tim Meadowcroft, Canon of the Auckland Diocese robes Priest Habib with a red stole at the Ceremony on June 13.
