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Bishop Burbidge ordains five men to the priesthood

Zoey Maraist | Catholic herald Staff Writer

Father Michael Isenberg, director of the Office of Vocations, left, stands next to Fr. Charles C. Pavlick, Fr. James F. Waalkes, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Fr. Joseph F. Moschetto, Fr. Guillermo J. González and Fr. Peter M. McShurley after Mass June 6. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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The soon-to-be ordained priests process into the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 6. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge delivers his homily. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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JThe soon-to-be ordained priests stand before Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge recites the prayer of ordination. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Deacon Charles C. Pavlick promises obedience to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and his successors. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Family and friends clap for the newly ordained priests. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Retired Bishop Paul S. Loverde smiles during the ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 6. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Deacon Joseph F. Moschetto promises obedience to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and his successors. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

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A girl points to the line of clergy processing into the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 6. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained five men to the
priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 6: Fathers Guillermo
J. González, Peter M. McShurley, Joseph F.
Moschetto, Charles C. Pavlick and James F. Waalkes.

Although the coronavirus pandemic didn’t affect the date of
the long-planned ordination, safety requirements limited the number of people
who could attend. There were fewer embraces. Face masks and hand sanitizer
abounded. As did the joy of the newly ordained and their family and friends.

“When our soon-to-be ordained priests are celebrating their
25th and 50th anniversaries, some may ask them, ‘Was there anything unique
about your ordination ceremony? No doubt, we could not imagine the answers they
will give as we celebrate this year’s ordination in the midst of a pandemic and
with safety protocols we have never seen before at an ordination, ’ ” said
Bishop Burbidge in his homily.

“The uniqueness of this year’s ordination, in the midst of a
pandemic and sadly as we witness growing tension and division and injustice in
our nation, are also powerful reminders (that) we can only be healed, we can
only be renewed and united in and through the power of God,” he told them. “It
is into this world that God sends you to bring his healing love and saving
power as you preach the word and celebrate the sacraments, as you give
yourselves in service to others and by the holiness of your lives, as you
remain faithful to your commitment to celibacy and promises of respect and
obedience.”

After the homily, each man promised to worthily carry out
his priestly ministry. Then the deacons prostrated themselves as a litany of
saints was sung. When the litany was finished, Bishop Burbidge and the small
number of priests in attendance laid their hands on the men’s heads as they
knelt. Finally, Bishop Burbidge recited the prayer of ordination over them and
welcomed them as the five newest priests for the Arlington Diocese. 

Each newly ordained priest was assisted in putting on
priestly vestments by another priest. Father González chose Father Mauricio
Pineda, parochial vicar of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas. “We met each
other at youth group when we were teenagers,” said Father González. “When I was
looking for a priest to vest me, we had a conversation and he said, ‘I can do
it.’ ”

After the Mass, instead of gathering for a reception in the cathedral’s
Buke Hall, clergy, seminarians, family and friends congregated outside the church
in the warm summer air. A white tent was set up for each of the newly ordained
priests to greet visitors and to offer their first blessings as priests. Seminarians
were on hand to pass out prayer cards and sanitize the kneeler in between
blessings. 

Matthew Waalkes, brother of Father Waalkes, chatted with
friends as he waited in line to receive a blessing. He was moved by the moment
during the Mass where each newly ordained priest gave a blessing to Bishop
Burbidge and Retired Bishop Paul S. Loverde. “That was pretty amazing and is a
reminder that they need blessings continually as well,” said Waalkes. 

He was excited and proud to see his brother being ordained a
priest. “He’s grown so much over the past few years,” said Waalkes. “He’s going
to be an amazing priest.”

This story has been updated. 

Buy keepsake photos of the ordination at catholicherald.smugmug.com.

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