?These men were my first-ever ordination,? Bishop Nelson Perez said on May 19, referring to those he was about to ordain as priests at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
?And now they are my first-ever priest ordination,? he added.
The new priests, who were ordained for service to the Diocese of Cleveland, and their home parishes are Father Matthew Michael Cortnik, St. John Vianney Parish, Mentor; Father Michael John Feldtz, St. Patrick Parish (Bridge Avenue), Cleveland; and Father Richard Joseph Samide, St. Mary Parish in Hudson.
Since their diaconal ordination, the bishop also ordained nine other men as transitional deacons on April 27 and four men as permanent deacons on May 5. The new class of transitional deacons is continuing its formation with the expectation of ordination to the priesthood next spring.
?The Church has chosen you to be a priest,? he told the ordinandi. He also called to mind some words from Pope St. John Paul II during his 1987 visit to California when he spoke about his call to the priesthood.
?It?s impossible to explain . . . it remains a mystery,? he said, adding, ?How does one explain the words of God?
The bishop said he is deeply grateful for his call to the priesthood and is blessed to be able to celebrate Mass.
?This day will be the most important day of your life,? he told the new priests. ?You?ll never forget it.?
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As he talked about their role as priests, Bishop Perez reminded the ordinandi that they are dispensers of the sacraments to those who are properly disposed to receive them.
?This is your first Mass. Listen closely . . . you are about to say the words said by hundreds of thousands before you. You?ll celebrate the mystery. Let it become you. Today, not only do you receive ordination to the priesthood, but you become a sacred sign of the body of Christ to the world.?
The bishop reinforced to the new priests their importance to the people of God. ?They have a right to you
