Four men from the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland -- Charles Cairnie, Noah Furin, Jeremy Gaugler and Jeremy Shafer -- were admitted to candidacy for ordination as deacons and priests for service in the diocese during a liturgy at Saint Mary Seminary on Sept. 9.
A fifth, Arthur Bodenschatz, was admitted to candidacy for service to the Diocese of Youngstown.
Bishop Edward Malesic delegated Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost to accept the candidates.
The men are in their first year of theological study and priestly formation at Saint Mary Seminary. During the liturgy, they publicly announced their desire to bind themselves to the service of God and his holy people and to complete their human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral preparation.
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Bishop Woost accepted them as candidates for the sacrament of holy orders as they continue their discernment and formation for the diaconate and priesthood for service to their respective dioceses.’
“We are here to give thanks for our many gifts, including the gifts of Arthur, Charles Noah, Jeremy and Jeremy,” Bishop Woost said in his homily. He told the men they have a responsibility to the faithful since they candidates were presented to them. The faithful also “has a right to test them,” the bishop added.
He said as bishops, pastors, priests, formators, members of the seminary community and the larger community, we are here to help them discern and clarify God’s call. “We are here to support them, to help them and to test them,” he said.
“Why do we do this? They are an answer to the Church’s prayer. The harvest is great but the laborers are few. We need to go out and find laborers. You believe the Lord has called you,” the bishop told the five men. “And we believe that. We also believe that you are an answer to the Lord’s prayer.”
In the second reading chosen by the candidates for the liturgy, we were told that we have no reason to boast because we were chosen/called to be preachers of the Gospel. We must be willing to become like slaves of all and for all, Bishop Woost said, telling them men it was a good choice for the Mass.
He said we have a duty and a responsibility to ensure that those called for service to the Church realize it is both a duty and a responsibility. Even though the men have been studying and discerning their call to the priesthood for some time, the bishop said they made a formal, public announcement of their intent during the liturgy.
“Sirach tells us we should seek wisdom and truth wherever it is to be found,” Bishop Woost said, noting for the five men that includes theological studies, fieldwork, seminary life and in community.
“Give your hearts early, often and always to the Lord. Open your lips to prayer, open a conversation with the one who called you and seek forgiveness. None of us is perfect, but we can overcome sin with his help. By trusting in the Lord, he will give you the gift of understanding to know what he desires for your life,” he bishop said.
He cautioned the men that their commitment doesn’t end with ordination, telling them, “Discernment is ongoing.” He suggested that they sit down and reflect on the phrases from the reading that spoke to their hearts as they prepared for the liturgy. “Use those words as a guide in this year of formation. And know that God is here to guide you,” he said.
“Remember, we’re here with you to pray, support, help and test you,” Bishop Woost said. Even though Bishop Malesic was unable to celebrate the Mas because he was away on a pilgrimage, Bishop Woost assured the men that they are in his thoughts and prayers. Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown also is praying for Bodenschatz, he said.
“Now thank we all our God for all he does for us in our lives,” Bishop Woost added.