Twelve seminarians were ordained to the transitional diaconate before an overflow congregation at St. Theresa Church in Ashburn April 6, bringing them one step closer to the priesthood.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge was the celebrant and homilist during the Mass of ordination. The newly ordained deacons will be assigned to a parish this summer, then return to seminary for another year before the ordination to the priesthood takes place in 2025.
The new deacons are: Timothy Daniel Banach, Emmanuel Carreño García, Joseph Connor, Jordan Evans, John Fimmuchine, Raymond Edward Goins, Andrew Thomas Lewandowksi, Richard Matthew Malebranche, John Mark Meyerhofer, Christian Nyukonge Njodzela, Michael Charles Sampson and Alfredo David Tuesta.
Deacons may preside over baptisms, marriages, funerals, public prayer, and may read from the Book of Gospels during liturgies.
“In these unsettling times when so many people feel distressed and defeated, preach the Good News of the Easter season,” said Bishop Burbidge, addressing the deacons in his homily. “Preach the Good News that he is alive and with us, and his victory is ours now and forever.”
“Your ordination reflects a bright and promising future for our diocese,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Strengthened by the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist, with the graces of the sacrament you are about to receive, through the intercession of Mary, Joseph, and all the saints, go forth as companions of the Risen Lord, as his apostles, striving daily to be perfected, to preach his Gospel effectively, to serve humbly, while always giving the highest priority to being with him, the one who promises to be with you on this joyful day and always.”
“I am filled with joy, and am at peace,” said Deacon Andrew Thomas Lewandowski. “It’s been such a pleasure to walk this journey with my brothers.”
“It was an extraordinary blessing to have 12 men ordained for the transitional diaconate for future priesthood, for our diocese — perhaps the largest ordination class in the country,” said Father Donald J. Planty, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington, the home parish of new Deacons Banach and Sampson.
“It was especially wonderful to have two men from our parish ordained,” Father Planty said, noting that the next day each then served and preached inspiringly at a Sunday Mass, followed by parish receptions for them. “Our parishioners were overjoyed at seeing their brothers ordained and serving as deacons, and enjoyed celebrating with them.”
Deacon Sampson said he was overwhelmed after he saw how many people had crowded into St. Theresa Church to witness his ordination. “And when Father David (Dufresne) handed me the dalmatic and stole, a huge weight had been lifted, and I was like, ‘You are a deacon now.’ It was a big moment,” he said.
“It is a joyful day for me,” said Deacon Christian Nyukonge. “I am grateful to God and Mother Mary for always being there for me. I am praying for more graces so that next year, God willing, I may be ordained to the priesthood.”
This story has been updated.
