Ordination to the Diaconate

Bishop Murphy and I before Ordination.

As I work to “catch everyone up” I want to share a little bit with you about Ordination to the Diaconate on May 21, 2011. The Rite of Ordination takes places within the Celebration of the Eucharist and I thought perhaps walk through the rite might provide some good insight for all of us.

The Rite of Ordination begins after the proclamation of the Gospel.  Here, Msgr. Swiader, Vice Rector, and Msgr. Peter Vaccari, Rector, presented me as a candidate for Ordination to the Diaconate. After their dialogue with the Bishop, the assembly affirmed this (very humbling). Following the presentation, Bishop Murphy delivered his homily which incorporated the readings, my own journey and what it means to be a deacon in service of the Church.  It was a homily filled with many challenges to those called to diaconate and one that I have reflected on since my Ordination.

After the homily, before the entire assembly, I made five promises to the bishop – including a commitment to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and celibacy - and then came forward, knelt before him and promised obedience to him and his successors. As I listened to the questions put forth by the Bishop, they take on a very important meaning (and they should). While one can read the Rite or practice it, the moment itself holds its own particular significance.

Perhaps the most moving moment of the entire Rite takes place after the promises. I laid prostrate on the floor of the Seminary as the entire community prayed the Litany of the Saints.  We pray that litany, seeking the intercession and aid of the saints, on the person being ordained (me), and the entire Church.  

Following the Litany, I came before the Bishop for the laying on of hands. This is an ancient ritual in our Church that invokes the Holy Spirit. Then, I was vested with the liturgical garb of the Deacon – a stole across the chest and a dalmatic. Like other outward signs they signify to the assembly my role as a deacon in the liturgy and the life of the Church. A tradition is to ask two members of the clergy to “vest you”. For this investiture, I asked Msgr. Swiader, my Adviser, and Msgr. Joseph DeGrocco, Director of Liturgical Formation. Both of these priests have shown themselves to many others and myself to be tremendous examples of the potential for formation and growth. They were significant influences on me since I entered the Seminary and, I have a feeling, will continue to be for years to come.

After the investiture, I knelt before the Bishop again and received the Book of the Gospels. The words the Bishop says at this point have always been significant to me:

“Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach."

The final part of the Rite is the Sign of Peace exchanged first with the Bishop and then with the Order of Deacons present at the liturgy.

Fr. Mike Vetrano, Bishop Murphy and I after Ordination.

To say it was a moving and powerful day is an understatement. I was humbled by the tremendous support and care for me exhibited by all who gathered – from my own family to the community of the Seminary to the friends who gathered from the different ministries I have been blessed to belong. Without a doubt it is a day that changed my life forever.  

Greetings from Garden City

Last summer, I wrote to you with great joy about my assignment to St. Anne’s in Brentwood. When Msgr. Swiader, my Advisor, told me my diaconate ministry would take place at St. Anne’s, he saw my face and said, “No, not that one!”  Today, I write to you from St. Anne’s R.C. Church in Garden City.  I write today with the same spirit of joy and hope I shared last summer.

On June 22^nd, I was officially assigned as a Deacon to this parish community.  Honestly, I came with a little trepidation. It’s a wonderful parish with so many great things happening.  Would I fit in here?  Would they care about me and my journey? How would I handle living in Nassau County? Would I be able to handle all of these transitions?

Two and a half weeks into it, my fears were completely unfounded. This community has been nothing but a place of welcome, care and concern, encouragement and excitement, and inclusion and inspiration (and I can even find my way around some of these Nassau roads).  More than once, I have said to myself, and others, how lucky and fortunate I am to be here at St. Anne’s. It is a tremendous community that serves and ministers to parishioners in Garden City, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Stewart Manor and so many more.

Fr. Tom Harold and I at St. Anne's.

There have been many people who have been so good and so kind to me since I’ve arrived and you’ll probably meet them one way or another on this blog.  The pastor at St. Anne’s is Msgr. Tom Harold. Fr. Tom and I first met over 15 years ago. Then, he served as the Vocation Director for the Diocese of Rockville Centre and I came seeking advice and direction. When I heard I would come here with him (he started on June 22^nd too) I had a great sense that the Spirit was at work. A person who welcomed and encouraged me to consider priesthood would now be one who guides me in the final week and months before priesthood.

I concluded my bulletin reflection and some of my introduction to the parish with the paragraph below:

I mentioned last week that when I left my home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes I realized I was not so much leaving as being “sent forth” by the parish community (hence, the name of the blog!). I have a tremendous feel then when I will look at my time here at St. Anne’s I’ll say, “This is the community that sent me forth to priesthood” and for that I will be eternally grateful.

Have a great week!