“The day has finally come. You are about to become a living sacrament of Christ,” Bishop Edward Malesic told Deacon Michael Garvin as he prepared to ordain him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland. Father Garvin was ordained during a liturgy on May 18 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Using the analogy of a marathon – the Cleveland Marathon took place on May 19 – Bishop Malesic said priesthood is like a marathon. “But you’re not at the finish line yet. This is a mile marker – a big one,” he said, referring to ordination.
(See above for a photo gallery from the ordination Mass.)
“From today on, you will be called ‘Father.’ It will be strange at first,” the bishop said. He reminded Father Garvin to “always be grateful to those who made you the man you are and the priest you will become,” including his family, friends, seminary instructors and other mentors. The bishop also told him to remember that “You work for Jesus first and me and my successors second.”
Pope Francis has spoken about the crucial role of parish priests, the bishop said, explaining their importance in helping the faithful. The Church could not go on without the service of parish priests, the pope said. As a priest, Father Garvin – and all other priests – are configured to Christ in a special way.
“You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek,” he said, quoting the Old Testament. Melchizedek was known as the king of righteousness and is associated with the priesthood.
Bishop Malesic said he first met Father Garvin – who was a student at Saint Mary Seminary – in 2020, when he was appointed bishop of Cleveland. “Since then, I’ve come to know him as a gifted composer, musician and a techie.” In fact, two musical pieces used in the ordination liturgy were among the newly ordained priest’s work. He also created a computerized map of the diocese with lights that show which parishes are having Mass, confession or adoration at any given time. (The map was featured in the March/April 2023 issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine.)
Now that he has been ordained, the bishop told Father Garvin to use his skills and priesthood “to help us come face to face, to encounter the living God. As Timothy said, be persistent, whether convenient or inconvenient. Celebrate the sacraments with dignity for us,” he added. As a priest, Father Garvin will be privileged to witness the union of a man and woman in marriage, to celebrate the holy sacrifice of the Mass, to forgive sins, anoint the dying, baptize and distribute the Eucharist, Bishop Malesic noted.
“The Eucharist must be the love of your life. Jesus must the love of every priest’s life and our salvation,” the bishop said. “Celebrate every Mass as if it is your last. There is no ‘regular’ Mass. Every Mass is an encounter with the living Christ. Let us see Jesus in the way you live your life and how you show compassion for all in need. Remember, Jesus says, ‘Do not be afraid.’ Just have faith.”
Bishop Malesic encouraged Father Garvin to “Keep before your eyes the example of the Good Shepherd, who came not to be served, but to serve.”
And he offered one more piece of advice: “Enjoy the ride and smile often.”
The liturgy was concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Benedictine Abbot Gary Hoover, priests in diocesan and seminary leadership, Father Steve Brunovsky, Father Garvin’s pastor at St. Hilary Parish in Fairlawn, and Father John Carlin, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Parma, where the newly ordained priest will minister as a parochial vicar.
Father Garvin is the son of Mary Beth and the late Peter Garvin. During his transitional diaconate year, he ministered at St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville.
Now that he has been ordained, he said his family is excited. “They are happy to have a priest in the family,” he added.
Participation in his parish youth group helped him identify and discern his vocation, Father Garvin said. He recalled having persistent thoughts about the seminary when he was in high school and decided to take the next step.
“The rest is history,” he added.
There are two other men in his ordination class who are from the Diocese of Youngstown: Deacon Kevin Bertleff and Deacon William Wainio. All three earned master’s in divinity and a master of arts (theology) degrees from Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology on May 9.
Deacon Bertleff and Deacon Wainio will be ordained to the priesthood on June 1 in St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown by Bishop David Bonnar. The Diocese of Youngstown has an agreement with the Cleveland Diocese to educate and form its seminarians
The ordination liturgy, which was livestreamed, can be viewed on demand here. Those interested in learning more about the priesthood should click here or contact Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocation director, at 440-943-7655 or email him at egarris@dioceseofcleveland.org.