Three of the six men who will be ordained to the priesthood for the Congregation of Holy Cross tomorrow at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame spent at least part of their formation serving parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix or André House, which reaches out to the area’s homeless.
Holy Cross Dcn. David Halm, an Ohio native, is the only son among four children. He is currently serving his diaconate year at St. John Vianney in Goodyear. His formation has taken him across the country in religious education, counseling and ministry to the sick as well as to Rome and to Phoenix’s St. Gregory Parish in 2005.
Dcn. Daniel Ponisciak is the middle of three boys raised in Pennsylvania. He served across the country during his formation in parish, hospital and homeless ministry including André House in Phoenix.
“Identifying hope in the midst of great suffering and being able to offer that to people going through these difficult times is something I will take with me into ministry,” Dcn. Ponisciak said. “Hope through the Cross […] is an instrument of our salvation – an instrument that provides hope for all who believe that suffering and death are conquered through it.”
Dcn. Christopher Rehagen is a twin and the oldest of four sons from Missouri. He spent his novitiate year at St. John Vianney beginning in 2010.
“I am very, very excited as Ordination approaches,” Dcn. Rehagen said, “… to give my final yes … to be able to celebrate the Sacraments. I know there will be many challenges ahead, but I trust that God will provide the strength to meet them.”
His latest blogpost through the Holy Cross Vocations Office reflects on his pending ordination.
These six soon-to-be priests join the roughly 500 priests, brothers and seminarians in the United States Province. There are some 1,200 Holy Cross religious working in 16 countries and on five continents to educate both the hearts and minds of believers of Jesus Christ.
UPDATE April 13
