Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe was nearly at capacity as Anthony Donatelli was ordained to the transitional diaconate during a liturgy on Oct. 19. It was the first ordination to take place in the recently renovated chapel.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, in the presence of Bishop Edward Malesic, was the ordaining bishop. Many priests, including Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, seminary professors, spiritual directors and Father Larry Jurcak, the new deacon’s pastor, concelebrated the Mass.
Members of the Donatelli family, friends, fellow parishioners from St. Mary Parish in Hudson and the diocesan seminary community, including his Saint Mary Seminary classmates, gathered for the joyful celebration.
(See photo gallery above.)
Donatelli postponed his diaconate ordination for a few months to allow for additional discernment. His seven classmates – Ryan Arto, Christopher Cotone, James Hawkins, Jeffrey Lindholm, James Parisi, Brian Peters and Kyle Rosser – were ordained as transitional deacons by Bishop Woost in April. All are serving in parishes throughout the diocese and completing their academic work in anticipation of their priestly ordination in May 2025.
Deacon Donatelli will minister at St. Mary Parish in Chardon and St. Patrick Parish in Thompson. Father Scott Goodfellow, pastor of both parishes, also concelebrated the ordination liturgy.
Bishop Woost began the homily with some words used in the rite of ordination: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”
The bishop addressed Donatelli personally, with the caveat it could apply to the rest of the congregation in some way, especially his classmates.
“The word of God is a pilgrim word for a pilgrim people, journeying through, with and in the lives of every one of us here,” he said, noting Donatelli’s pilgrimage with Jesus the word” has been circuitous, to say the least.” But the ordination Mass was a time to rejoice that the next step in his journey “has brought you to this grace-inspired offering of yourself to Christ and his Church.”
Bishop Woost reminded Donatelli that God has already spoken and will provide the strength he needs for his journey, pointing him to Scriptural texts.
“In your pilgrim journey, Anthony, with all its twists and turns, starts and stops, ups and downs, Jesus, the word of God, has empowered you to walk, like Elijah, strengthened by a rich feast. Certainly, this includes the Scriptures, the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist; your spiritual life and personal relationship with Christ; and simply being with God’s people,” the bishop said. The “feast” also includes the love and support of his family, pastor, St. Mary, Hudson parishioners, the seminary community, friends, priest friends and others who accompanied him, listened to him, challenged him, discerned with him, believed in him, loved him and waited for him, Bishop Woost added.
“Yes – we all waited for you and the Lord to arrive at this day. And your bishop, our shepherd, Bishop Malesic, called you to this feast, to this stage in your pilgrim journey that is ordained ministry in the diaconal order,” he said. “Anthony, all this is simply to say, God provides. In faithfulness and love, God sets an amazing table.”
Throughout his journey, the bishop said Donatelli was prodded and prompted by many to “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you.” He said Donatelli heard and believed and was strengthened as he responded to the Lord’s call to the diaconate.
Although the liturgical assembly seemed to focus on Donatelli, the bishop said his joy in the Lord reminded everyone that it was not all about him. Instead, it was first about what God has done and continues to do in his life, God’s faithfulness and the Lord’s invitation to be united in him “as one who came not to be served, but to serve. Tonight is about trusting that the Lord really does meet us where we are at, journeys with us and leads us to where he invites us to be, even when that path seems to deviate from our usual timetable and blueprint. Your joy eloquently proclaims … ‘the Lord stood by me and gave me strength.’”
The bishop told Donatelli that we do not blindly seek God or wait for him to speak to us first, because “God has already spoken and there is nothing further we need to know, which has not been revealed to us. Let us receive the sublime treasure of the revealed word. Anthony, God has spoken. You have heard. Believe, teach, practice. The Lord stands by you. Rejoice in him. Walk in the strength of his mercy and love.”
Bishop Malesic added some remarks after the ordination Mass, telling the new deacon, “It is never too late to say ‘yes’ to the Lord … everyone has a vocation from God and is called to serve him 24/7. Congratulations to you, the seminary, to our Church,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get my hands on your heads,” the bishop quipped, referring to the laying on of hands, part of the ordination rite, as the eight transitional deacons continue their formation journey for the priesthood.
The bishop also noted the legacy of priests St. Mary, Hudson has given to the diocese.
“It is a special blessing as a bishop to ordain men to ministry. We have an excellent Church. In doing God’s will, may we all one day be saints. That is the goal – heaven,” the bishop added.
After receiving his faculties from Bishop Malesic and posing for photos with his family and classmates, Deacon Donatelli continued his ordination celebration at a reception in the Founder’s Room.
Click here for more information about a priestly vocation. Learn more about the diaconate here.