“You are to be instituted in the more stable ministry of acolyte,” Bishop Edward Malesic told a dozen men who are in formation for the permanent diaconate and the priesthood. The institution liturgy took place Feb. 7 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. One seminarian acolyte is from the Diocese of Youngstown and one is from the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea, both of which send men to Cleveland for priestly formation.
As acolytes, the men will assist the clergy at liturgies and services with such things as lighting candles, preparing the altar, carrying the cross, book of the Gospels and other sacred items, distributing Communion and assisting with purification of vessels after the distribution of Communion.
(See photo gallery above.)
Newly instituted seminarian acolytes and their home parishes are:
- Benjamin Henry Baratian, St. Mary, Hudson
- Johannes Kurt Benninghoff, St. Clarence, North Olmsted
- Jake Anthony Cermak, St. Charles Borromeo, Parma
- Jonathan Paul Green, Holy Family, Stow
- Benjamin J. Jackson, St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills
- Stephen Robert Zbiegien, St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills
- Donald Louis Bailey, St. Theresa of Calcutta, Warren, Diocese of Youngstown
- Simon Hyunseo Park, Archdiocese of Daegu
Newly instituted acolytes who are in formation for the permanent diaconate are:
- Zakary Ian Jester, St. Raphael Parish, Bay Village. He and his wife Sarah have two sons. He is director of youth ministry and confirmation at St. Raphael.
- Jerald Matthew Joyce, St. Anselm Parish, Concord. He and his wife Melissa have a daughter and two sons.
- William Michael Prebel, SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish, Twinsburg. Prebel and his wife Mildred have six adult children between them, four daughters and two sons.
- Jon Gerard Woost, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Wadsworth. He is married to Carrie and has four adult children, three sons and a daughter.
Concelebrants for the Mass included Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, brother of Jon Woost, and Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries. Dozens of other priests also concelebrated the liturgy and many permanent deacons attended.
Bishop Malesic encouraged the new acolytes to take advantage of God’s great gift to us, the Eucharist.
He noted that in the readings used at the institution liturgy, the prophet Elijah was weary and ready for his life’s work to be over. However, God had another plan and encouraged him to eat so he would have the strength needed to continue.
“The Eucharist is our food for the journey of life. Get up and eat, lest the journey be too long for you,” the bishop said.
He reflected on the last summer’s Eucharistic Congress that he, Bishop Woost and about 200 delegates from the Diocese of Cleveland attended. They joined about 50,000 others in Indianapolis, Indiana for the event, which was part of the ongoing Eucharistic Revival. The revival is in the final phase: The year of mission.
“People are looking to go deeper in their faith,” the bishop said, noting the Eucharistic Congress and the ongoing revival are ways to do that. He said the men being instituted as acolytes are looking to go deeper in their faith and their ministry.
“People are looking for something — and we know what it is,” he said, referring to Jesus.
In the Gospel, Bishop Malesic said Jesus had just multiplied the loaves and fishes, fed and preached to thousands of people. He wanted to get away, so he crossed the lake but people followed him because they wanted more. “And Jesus wanted to give them more. He wanted to give them spiritual food,” he said, referring to the Eucharist. “We have spiritual and physical hunger. Jesus tells us, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.’ Take people deeper. Lead them to Christ,” he said.
The bishop urged the new acolytes not to put up obstacles to those looking to go deeper in their faith. He used the example of the early Church and how the apostles and other disciples helped spread the faith through the breaking of bread, teaching the word of God and by serving others.
“Our mission is to proclaim Jesus to the world one person at a time. There is no Church without the Eucharist. We come to know him (Jesus) in the breaking of the bread. As you share this one bread with your brothers and sisters, we form one body of Christ,” he said, reminding the faithful to follow Jesus’ example and “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Men who may feel called to a priestly vocation can learn more here. Information about the permanent diaconate is available here. Click here to learn more about how the diocese is involved in the Eucharistic Revival.