Six seminarians ordained to the diaconate
New deacons will serve growing diocese

By Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun
November 16, 2006

Six seminarians from the Phoenix Diocese recently took a step closer to priestly life by being ordained transitional deacons.

Ernesto Reynoso, Eugene Florea, Craig Friedley, Paul Sullivan, John Muir and Kilian McCaffrey were ordained at their respective seminaries in October.

“It was an amazing day,” Deacon McCaffrey said. “I treasure it and will never forget the love and kindness shown to me. I experienced such an outpouring of love that I am still on a high.”

Deacon Sullivan said that years of prayer and preparation left little room for doubt or anxiety on his ordination day.

“I had no doubt that this was exactly where God willed for me to be at that moment,” he said, which allowed him to focus on prayer during the Mass.

“The ordination was full and beautiful,” he added. “It was moving to be ordained in the presence of my family who has supported me as well as being alongside my brother seminarians.”

Fr. Don Kline, diocesan vocations director, said the men will be ordained priests next June at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.

He remarked on the relatively large class size this year, hoping that it will prove a future trend.

“The interest in the number of applicants is certainly larger than recent years with nine new seminarians,” he said, but added it is still too early to tell if such large numbers will become the norm.

“The Diocese of Phoenix as a whole is blessed by those to be ordained,” Fr. Kline said. “The number of Catholics in our state continues to increase and therefore their needs and the need for priests will continue.”

A ‘very joyful time’

These transitional deacons may now participate in baptisms, marriages and reading the Gospel during Mass.

Fr. John Lankeit, who was ordained last June, said having the ability to preach while he was a deacon greatly helped him prepare for the priesthood.

“Preaching is such a major part of what a priest does. It’s such an important way of nourishing people’s faith,” he said. “Your first legitimate opportunity to do that in the Church is as a deacon.”

Most seminarians spend eight to 12 months as a transitional deacon, usually during their last year of study at the seminary. Oftentimes they juggle school and pastoral work at local parishes.

“I considered the diaconate to be a very joyful time,” said Fr. John Greb, also ordained to the priesthood last June. “To get a break for a bit from the seminary and be able to be in the parish with the people was great.”

Both priests described their ordination to the diaconate as a watershed moment in their formation.

“It’s beyond anything you can imagine,” Fr. Lankeit said. “The actual fact of being ordained is a phenomenal experience. You truly feel the work of the Holy Spirit.”

Though he did not approach his diaconate ordination with any pre-conceived notions of how he would feel, Fr. Lankeit said the sacrament overwhelmed him.

“When I was actually vested in the vestments of the deacon I was looking at the crucifix behind the altar. Then I looked down at myself in the vestments,” he remembered. “The emotions hit me so hard I couldn’t control them.”

Fr. Greb said that the seminarians should enjoy the time they have as deacons.

“It really is a special, wonderful time,” he said. “Enjoy just being a deacon.”

Fr. Lankeit agreed.

“Enjoy the beauty of the ministry,” he said. “Priesthood will come.”