Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership was filled with the family and friends of eight men who were instituted in the ministry of lector during a liturgy on Oct. 25. Bishop Malesic celebrated the Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, along with the men’s pastors and seminary professors as concelebrants.
“These eight men are being formed to make the word of God present in their lives,” Bishop Malesic said, adding that with their new ministry they will have a more stable position in the Church.
(See photo gallery here.)
The newly instituted lectors and their home parishes are:
- Michael Niese, permanent diaconate formation, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Wadsworth
- Tucker von Carlowitz, permanent diaconate formation, St. Monica Parish, Garfield Heights
- Sean Homcy, Saint Mary Seminary, St. James Parish, Lakewood
- Alexander Krukemeyer, Saint Mary Seminary, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Tallmadge
- William Reed, Saint Mary Seminary, St. Helen Parish, Newbury
- Joseph Rohan, Saint Mary Seminary, St. Joseph Parish, Cuyahoga Falls
- Joshua Stecz, Saint Mary Seminary, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Akron
- Daniel LaPolla, Saint Mary Seminary, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Warren (Diocese of Youngstown)
Men from the permanent diaconate formation program joined Saint Mary seminarians at the liturgy. In the past, the seminarians and diaconate programs had separate institution liturgies,
The bishop told those being instituted as lectors that they have an important role in the Church.
“You are asked not just to read words, but to preach to us about the way, the truth and the life. Make the word of God present to us to bring us freedom from the sin holding us captive,” the bishop said. “Show us how to live the Gospel united with the word made flesh.”
Reflecting on the Gospel, the bishop said the prophets encouraged the people to return to Scripture. The Old Testament is filled with stories about people who walked with God for a time, then stopped. “But the Lord never gave up on them,” the bishop said. “He sent his Son to walk among us and he gave a love letter to his people – the books of the Gospel.”
Without God, we have nothing, Bishop Malesic said, adding that Jesus’ word heals and saves us.
“Jesus is the word. He comes to do the will of the Father . There is no salvation without him … He is the face of the Father’s love for us.”
After Mass, the bishops greeted the new lectors, their families and friends and joined them for a celebratory reception in the Founder’s Room.
For more information on the permanent diaconate program, click here. Contact the diocesan vocation office here.