Mark Mullaney: Wants to Fulfill God's Plan

By Alfonso Aguilar
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/5/03)

During the recent Chrism Mass celebrated by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Mark Mullaney was one of the two deacons chosen to assist the bishop. On that day, Holy Thursday, Deacon Mullaney was just eight weeks away from fulfillment of a dream — becoming a priest.

The Priesthood Ordination Mass will be at the Cathedral on June 7, when Bishop Loverde will ordain three seminarians to the priesthood.

"I want to fulfill God’s plans for me and serve his people," said Deacon Mullaney, a native of Pennsylvania. "And after my ordination I will go wherever our bishop considers I should go," said Deacon Mullaney during a visit to the Cathedral with other seminarians.

However, Mullaney said that he would be more than happy if, as a priest, he is assigned to a high school to teach "the words of God, the depth of our faith. I want to teach that God is achievable every day."

Deacon Mulloney, 34, was raised by his aunt and uncle, Peg and Richard Keegan. He graduated from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadephia in 1999 with a degree in philosophy. In the summer of 2001, he was assigned to Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge and in 2002 to St. Michael Parish in Annandale. His current home parish is St. Mary Parish in Alexandria.

Although he recognizes that as a kid he was not very religious, for some years he was an altar boy.

"Actually, Mark was a model kid. He is one of the best kids I have ever seen in my life, and certainly he is very passionate about faith," said Peg Keegan. "He was given to me as a gift from God."

The future priest remembers that he met Bishop Loverde during his installation as the third bishop of this diocese. "Now I will again have the honor to be ordained by him," said Mullaney, who was ordained a deacon by Bishop Loverde last June.

After his ordination Mass, Deacon Mullaney said that he will celebrate his first Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church in his native Pennsylvania.

"It is always a good time to become a priest," said Deacon Mullaney. Regarding the shortages of priests in the United States and abroad, the deacon is totally convinced that the solution must start at home.

"Vocations come from home. Families must inculcate vocations in the early ages," he said.

Relatives and friends of Deacon Mullaney regard him as very intelligent, kind, generous, versed in different topics, very meticulous, always willing to help. He loves reading, tennis, travel, and music, especially Gregorian chant.

Regarding his upcoming ordination, his aunt said, "Mark is very excited, but not nervous. And all who love him are very happy to witness his priesthood ordination."  

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