“Today, your on-the-job training as new priests begins,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the six men he ordained to the priesthood during a liturgy on May 16 in the Cathedral of St, John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland.
The cathedral was overflowing with joyful family members, friends of the newly ordained, fellow seminarians and clergy from throughout the diocese and beyond. The family of Father Truong Joseph Viet Ho traveled from Vietnam for his ordination. It was the first time they had seen him in person since he arrived in Cleveland eight years ago for his priestly formation.
(See photo gallery above.)
The newly ordained, their parents, home parishes and first assignments as parochial vicars are:
- Father Charles Cairnie, son of Robert and Paula Cairnie (stepmother) and Alexa Cairnie, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Wooster, assigned to St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Parma
- Father Mitchell Carson, son of Dennis and Rhonda Carson, St. Peter Parish, North Ridgeville, assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Avon Lake
- Father Cameron Ferrell, son of Brandon and Carrie Ferrell, SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Doylestown, assigned to St. Francis de Sales Parish, Akron
- Father Nathan Frankart, son of Steve and Kim Frankart, St. Joseph Parish, Amherst, assigned to St. Mary Parish, Hudson
- Father Joseph Ho, son of Hoc Viet Ho and Lanh Thi Nguyen of Ha Tinh, Vietnam, St. Boniface Parish, Cleveland, assigned to St. Sebastian Parish, Akron
- Father Sean Neville, son of Jim and the late Colleen Neville, St. Mary of the Falls Parish, Olmsted Falls, assigned to St. Mary Parish, Chardon and St. Patrick Parish, Thompson.
“You’re choosing a life of service, sacrifice and simplicity,” the bishop told the newly ordained. He said their answer to their vocation call began long ago. “Beneath the noise of life, Christ was speaking to you. The question was simple … The voice calling you to this day would not stop,” the bishop said. “The call isn’t always easy … The ceremony is beautiful but then comes the rest of your life.” However, he assured the new priests that God always gives us the grace needed to follow his call.
“The priesthood will humble you and challenge you in ways you can’t imagine … You are his instruments, the servants through which Christ will fulfill his call on earth,” the bishop said, reminding the ordinandi, “God has chosen you to be the priests we need. God is using you not because you are perfect, but because he called you … You are all very gifted, talented and generous … You were deacons before you were priests, configured to Christ who came to serve, not to be served,” Bishop Malesic added.
“Christ has chosen you. You belong to him … Be the men God called you to be. And when people ask you why you became a priest, it’s because that’s what God called you to be.”
An archived recording of the ordination Mass can be viewed here.