Five to be ordained in Wichita, Kansas [Catholic Caucus]

Wichita, Kan., May 22, 2011 / 01:05 pm (CNA).- Five men will be ordained next weekend by Bishop Michael O. Jackels at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Wichita, Kansas. Four will be ordained to the priesthood and one to the transitional diaconate.

David M. Voss from Wichita will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at a Mass on Friday, May 27. He is finishing studies at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.

Voss said as he looks forward to his ordination as a transitional deacon he is filled with gratefulness to God, Bishop Jackels, his seminaries, and his family.

“One would think that after so many years of school, my head would be filled with high and lofty theological discussion and teachings so much that I cannot wait to let it all out,” he said. “Yes, all of those thoughts are there, but overwhelmingly, what seminary has taught me is that Jesus Christ is the one who is at work, not me.”

He recalled Philippians 2:12, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you” and said, “God willing, as a future priest for our diocese, I will be called to be in persona Christi capitis, in the person of Christ the head. The work that I do is not important; the work God does through me is everything.”

Voss said he is looking forward to preaching. “The commission to give homilies is a humbling one, but it is also a great honor. One of the first attractions I had to the priesthood was hearing amazing preachers at Mass. What a privilege, to be able to be like the Apostles to explain the Word of God to those who thirst for it so greatly!”

He said as a deacon he is looking forward to being close to the Eucharist. “Not only can deacons preach, they are literally serving at the altar of our Lord,” he said.

“We take practicum classes at the seminary to learn how to follow the texts and rubrics of the rites of the church. During this process, someone ultimately has to say the priest’s parts in order to practice the deacon’s parts. I admit, this is a little strange at first, but coming closer to being able to celebrate the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is one of the greatest joys that I cannot begin to put down in words.”

The Rev. Mr. Marco A. De Loera, a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Wichita, is one of four men who will be ordained to the priesthood at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28. He is also from Wichita, finishing his studies at Kenrick-Glennon.

Deacon De Loera said after nearly nine years of seminary formation he is eager to get back to the diocese to serve the people of God who will be his family.

“This thought brings consolation to my heart. Soon – very soon, God willing – I will be feeding God’s people with the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ and with the other Sacraments,” he said, adding that it is an awesome responsibility and a humbling one.

“Who am I to approach the Holy Altar of God and to serve his people? Nobody! I am just a simple instrument of all His graces, an instrument that needs a lot of help from all the people of the diocese with your constant prayers for my sanctification and for the sanctification of all priests, those from Wichita and from all over the world.”

Deacon De Loera said he has learned after all of his years in the seminary that the people in Wichita love their seminarians and their priests. “God chose me to one day serve you and He chose you to pray for me and all my brother seminarians. Thank you for the great work that you have done for me, for the Glory of God.”

The Rev. Mr. Daniel J. Duling of Schulte, Kansas will also be ordained to the priesthood. He is a student at Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

Deacon Duling said it was difficult to believe how fast seminary went by. “At other times I think it was a long time – I am very happy to be done with school. I will really miss the fraternity, the community of the seminary, and many of the men. You really come to develop strong friendships that will last forever.”

He said he is looking forward to being in a parish where he can serve the people of the diocese, who are responsible for him being there. “To serve beside my brother priests in Christ’s vineyard will be a great honor, I can just only hope and pray I can be half the priest that all these priests have been to me. I am looking forward to serving the people of God by serving Christ through Mary.”

Deacon Duling said he is grateful to his family, parish, and the people of the diocese because without their love and support he would have never been able to dedicate his life to the service of Christ’s Church. “Please continue to pray for all priests that they will die to self that Christ may grow in them,” he said.

The Rev. Mr. John P. Fogliasso of Frontenac will be ordained to the priesthood Saturday, May 28. He studied at Kenrick-Glennon in St. Louis.

He said his ordination marks the end of six years of seminary education and formation. “Looking back on the many memories and experiences I have been blessed to have had, I am grateful for the support and encouragement I've received.”

He said his family has always been supportive of him and that his home parish and friends have been generous “in their excitement for me.”

“I’ve had many people surprise me during this past semester by telling me they are planning on attending my ordination. I am incredibly honored and humbled that they have a desire to attend and help me offer thanks to God on that special day,” he said.

Deacon Fogliasso said it was impossible for him to select what he is looking forward to most as a priest. “I’m overwhelmed to think that soon I will be hearing confessions and offering absolution in the person of Christ, that I am merely months away from offering the most holy sacrifice of the Mass, and that it will be my role to anoint the sick and help prepare them as they approach their final hours and days in this world.”

He added that he is now reflecting on all the blessings in my life, praying in gratitude for his ministry and asking God to lead him in learning how to be a “humble servant for His holy church.”

The Rev. Mr. Jeremy S. Huser, son of Mark and Jeryl Huser, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Fredonia, will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 28. He studied at Mount St. Mary Seminary.

Deacon Huser said he is excited to be finishing up his seminary studies and is eager for parish work. “As a result of diocesan support these past five and a half years, I have been able to grow in faith, both spiritually and intellectually,” he said. “With this knowledge I hope and pray through word and example that I will lead the people of God closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.”

After ordination he said he is looking forward to celebrating Mass, preaching the Word of God, and consecrating bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. “What a great vocation the Lord has given me!”

Deacon Huser said he was thankful for the financial and spiritual support he gets from the diocese for himself and his brother seminarians. “Without your help we would not be able to go to the seminary to gain a good education to bring back to you. Please continue to pray for us; you are all in my prayers.”

The ordination of the four deacons to the priesthood will be streamed live beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28. The link will be on the diocesan homepage, www.cdowk.org.

Printed with permission from the Catholic Advance, newspaper from the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas.

Please say a prayer for these soon-to-be priests!

Jesus. High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

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