As the Diocese rejoiced in the ordination of three new priests on Saturday, June 7, before a congregation of clergy, religious, laity, family members and friends at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg, Bishop Timothy Senior urged the faithful to “rekindle the flame” of their own vocation.
Through the Laying on of Hands and a consecratory prayer during the solemn Rite of Ordination, Bishop Senior ordained Father Cole Mase, Father Andrew St. Denis and Father Clark Stiteler to the presbyterate.
“We are so blessed to have the Holy Spirit raining down upon us today in the Sacrament of Holy Orders as our brothers are ordained to the priesthood,” the bishop said.
“Each of us who celebrate with them today are invited to rekindle the flame of our own vocation as we celebrate this Mass today, to remember God’s call in each of our lives and to recommit to being attentive to how the Holy Spirit is directing each of us to be disciples of Jesus Christ that are ever more faithful to proclaim Him,” he said during the greeting.
The new priests were given their first assignments after the Mass, which was shared via livestream on the Diocese’s YouTube page. Father Mase has been assigned as parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Hanover. Father St. Denis will be parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in York and chaplain of York Catholic Middle and High School. Father Stiteler has been assigned as parochial vicar at St. John Neumann Parish in Lancaster.
Teacher, Priest and Shepherd
Solemn and rich in symbolism, the Mass began with an impressive Entrance Procession that included dozens of seminarians, deacons and priests. The three candidates were seated near the foot of the altar before the Rite of Ordination began.
After the Gospel, the men were called forth and presented to Bishop Senior by Father Joshua Weaver, Diocesan Vocations Director.
The bishop then gave his homily, offering an instruction about the Sacrament of Holy Orders and sharing a reflection on the graces and blessings of the priesthood.
“Be open to God’s call,” he encouraged those whom God may be calling to the priesthood.
“As in all vocations, there have been challenges and sacrifices along the way – times of desolation, but when we give of ourselves and trust God, embracing the crosses, we are blessed abundantly with graces and consolation as well,” the bishop said.
He then focused his homily on the nature of the ministerial rank to which the three ordinandi were being raised, speaking of their roles as teacher, priest and shepherd.
“Cole, Andrew and Clark, beloved sons, you are to be raised now to the Order of the Priesthood and, for your part, you will exercise in Christ the Teacher the sacred office of teaching. Impart to everyone the Word of God that you yourselves have received with joy,” he told them. “Meditating on the law of the Lord, see that you believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”
“Let your teaching be nourishment for the People of God, and let the holiness of your life be a pleasing fragrance for Christ’s faithful, so that you may build up by word and example that house which is the Church of God.”
The bishop told the three men that as they exercise in Christ the office of sanctifying, they must imitate what they celebrate. When they baptize, forgive sins, anoint the sick and celebrate the sacred rites, “remember that you have been taken from among the people and appointed on their behalf in those things that pertain to God,” he told them.
“Fulfill the ministry of Christ the Priest with abiding joy and genuine love. Seek not your own concerns but those of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Senior said.
“Finally, dear sons, united with me as your bishop, and surrounded with the fraternal love of our brothers in the Presbyterate of our Diocese, fulfill the office of Christ, Head and Shepherd, to the best of your ability,” he told them. “Strive to gather the faithful together into one family, so that you may lead them to God the Father, through Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Keep always before your eyes the example of the Good Shepherd, who did not come to be served but to serve and who came to seek and to save what was lost.”
As the Rite of Ordination proceeded, the three ordinandi, through a series of questions, declared their resolve to undertake their ministry and promised their obedience to the bishop and his successors. Then, they laid face-down on the floor in front of the altar as the full congregation chanted the Litany of Supplication, invoking the intercession of the saints on their behalf.
The essential part of the Ordination Rite followed, as Bishop Senior laid his hands on the heads of the men and prayed the Prayer of Ordination – the two elements through which they were ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
The new priests were then vested with their stole and chasuble. In a gesture of unity and encouragement, all the priests who were present for the Mass placed their hands on the heads of the newly ordained, before the bishop anointed their hands with Sacred Chrism and presented them with a paten with bread and a chalice with wine.
The Rite concluded with the new priests exchanging a Sign of Peace with the bishop and with all the priests present.
Hearts for Service
In recent interviews for the Diocese’s Candid Catholic Convos podcast, the three new priests spoke of their eagerness to serve the people of God.
“My heart’s desire has been to share Jesus,” said Father Mase, a native of Holy Spirit Parish in Palmyra. “Certainly, I’ve been looking forward to celebrating the Mass. It’s not the only thing you look forward to, but it’s definitely been on my heart…. I have a desire to enter into that and be prepared to stand there as another Christ.”
Father Stiteler, a native of St. Patrick Parish in Carlisle, remarked that he is especially eager to extend God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. “A big thing for me is that the forgiveness and mercy the Lord extended to me in my life and what He has done in my life – I want people to know that is available to everyone,” he said. “It is not limited to a certain amount of people. To be able to figure out the best way to let people know about that would be awesome. The sacraments are what makes Catholicism awesome. There is no sin the Lord can’t forgive.”
Father St. Denis said he is looking forward to bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone, no matter where they may be. “It’s about the ministry of presence. I’m looking forward to going out and being present to others. How awesome it is that God uses the things we enjoy to help us spread the Gospel. I can do that by interacting with parishioners who are at local sporting events, or our student athletes who are playing in games, and invite them to something deeper. I am eager to put myself out there and show up. The Lord will continue opening doors; I just have to be the one to go out and cooperate with His grace,” he said.
Learn more about Vocations in the Diocese of Harrisburg at www.harrisburgvocations.org.
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
