Bishop Nelson J. Perez, D.D., bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland will ordain nine deacons to the priesthood in the great tradition and solemn ritual of the Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 18, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland.
Those scheduled for priestly ordination are the nine transitional deacons who were ordained last spring by Bishop Perez. Seven will be ordained for service to the Diocese of Cleveland: Deacon Joshua Trefney, Deacon Martin Dober, Deacon Daniel Samide, Deacon David Stavarz, Deacon Kevin Fox, Deacon Michael Petkosek and Deacon Andrew Gonzalez.
Also being ordained to the priesthood are Deacon John Jeong for the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea and Deacon Francisco Garnica, CSJ, for the Congregation of St. Joseph.
In the Catholic tradition, a priest is a man who has been configured to Christ through the sacrament of holy orders. A priest of the Catholic Church is a disciple of the Lord Jesus, who is deeply in love with Jesus, who desires to serve Christ's bride -- the Church -- at the altar, who offers the forgiveness of sins, who is called to give his life for the sake of the Gospel and who has a devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. A priest is a living witness to the reality that Jesus the Son suffered, died and was raised up and that God loves the world and desires us to live forever.* Diocesan priests serve the diocese under the direction of the local bishop. Most serve in parishes of the diocese but they may also be assigned to other positions.
The Mass of ordination will be streamed live starting at 10 a.m. at dioceseofcleveland.org/news
Media wishing to use the feed for their news coverage may do so. Media planning to attend the liturgy are asked to gather by 9:45 a.m. in the north transept of the cathedral -- on the left side when facing the altar. A house audio feed will be available.
Contact
Deacon Jim Armstrong, APR
Executive Director, Communications
216-696-6525 Ext. 3290