Another Step Toward Priesthood

As seminarians continue their education and formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, they are received into specific ministries before ordination to the diaconate and priesthood. On October 6, the Most Reverend Robert Fisher, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, installed ten men to the ministry of lector and four men to the ministry of acolyte.

Upon entering the school of theology, seminarians receive candidacy, where the Church recognizes each seminarian as worthy of being ordained. Following candidacy, during the Mass of Installation of Acolytes and Lectors, second and third-year graduate seminarians are installed as lectors and acolytes respectively.

The second-year theologians received into the ministry of lector include John Carlin, Zaid Chabaan, Colin Fricke, Andrew Mabee, and David Pellican for the Archdiocese of Detroit; Thomas Merkel for the Diocese of Marquette; Michael Cassar and John Vinton for the Diocese of Lansing; Vincent Racanelli for the Diocese of Madison; and John Paul Williams for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. As lectors, these men will proclaim the Sacred Scriptures—except the Gospels, which are reserved for a deacon or priest—during the Sacred Liturgy.

The third-year theologians received into the ministry of acolyte include Adam Nowak and Derik Peterman for the Archdiocese of Detroit; Bro. David Brokke for the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity; and Bro. Romeo Cappella for the Companions of Christ the Lamb.

As acolytes, these men will aid the deacon and assist the priest in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, and care for the Sacred Vessels used at Mass. They are scheduled to be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate in 2018 and, ultimately, to receive Holy Orders in 2019.

Please pray these men become disciples ready to proclaim, teach, and defend the faith effectively. May they each strive to live in intimate union with God, and pursue a life of virtue as an effective bridge for the spread of the gospel.