Welcoming new priests to our faith

After many years at Holy Spirit Seminary, deacons Jack Ho, William Aupito Iuliano and Francis Fernandes are ready to serve the Church as they prepare for the priesthood. These men of God have been supporter through your prayers, donations and care, and are now ready to move to the next phase of their formation. “I have a sense that without the call of God, without the support of the Church and the support of all the people around me, it would have been impossible to get to this point”, said Jack.

Deacon Iuliano said he and his deacon brothers had been in preparation for a long time and that for him, there is a “great excitement in the air” for the future. The deacons were placed in parishes directly after their ordinations, and will spend twelve months learning and growing in the communities they serve.

Deacon Fernandes said it was a “deeply humbling” experience to lay down on the floor and be prayed over during the Litany of the Saints. “I was just staring at the floor and there was something humbling about having the Church around me, physically but also spiritually, praying for us,” he said. In his homily, Bishop Ken reminded the deacons that they are not alone. “For you, the gift specially given, is to be pastors but not to do this alone,” he said. “Do this with the apostles, evangelists and teachers so that there is a unity in the
works of service.”