Family members, friends, and the prayerful laity from around the diocese came to St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison, part of Divine Mercy Parish, in force the night of May 30.
That was the night Fr. Bradley Grobbel, Fr. David Jaramillo, Fr. William Kearley, and Fr. Ryan Ruhle were ordained to the priesthood.
More than 1,000 people attended, completely filling the church and balcony pews. Chairs were set up in the gathering space to make room, but many stood and knelt without one.
For this joyous occasion, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison celebrated the Mass, and concelebrants included Fr. Luke Strand, rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wis.; Fr. Thomas Cassidy, rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis.; and members of the presbyterate of the Diocese of Madison.
In his homily, Bishop Hying highlighted the Gospel reading from John, saying, “What the Lord did and said on that Easter night, He is now doing and saying to and for you this evening.
“He wishes you peace, peace of knowing yourself as a beloved Son of God, the peace of knowing He has called you to be a priest.
“In your priestly ordination tonight, He is breathing the Holy Spirit on you and anointing you as a sacramental extension of Himself in this world. After the long and challenging years of seminary formation, He is now sending you to proclaim the Gospel as He himself was sent by the Father.”
Ordination Rites
After the bishop’s homily, the four men were called forward for their ordination rites.
First, they professed priestly promises to Bishop Hying.
Then, they lay prostrate, while the Litany of Supplication was chanted by Fr. Anthony Kersting and Fr. Enan Zelinski.
The Laying on of Hands was next, where Bishop Hying placed his hands on their heads, conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit upon them. Then concelebrating priests did the same. Afterward, the new priests were vested.
Father Grobbel was vested by Fr. Brad Krawczyk, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and director of liturgical formation at St. Francis de Sales Seminary.
Father Jaramillo was vested by Fr. John Del Priore, SJS, the parochial administrator of St. Augustine University Parish in Platteville.
Father Kearley was vested by Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP.
Father Ruhle was vested by Fr. Chad Droessler, the parochial administrator of Stella Maris Parish in Cottage Grove, McFarland, and Monona. After vesting, Bishop Hying anointed their hands with Sacred Chrism and wrapped them with a linen cloth, or maniturgium.
A fraternal greeting between the newly ordained and fellow priests in attendance followed, completing the rites.
First assignments
Father Grobbel will serve as a parochial vicar of Holy Cross Parish, consisting of St. Peter Church in Ashton, St. Francis Xavier Church and School in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Church in Martinsville, St. Bernard Church in Middleton, and St. Mary Church in Pine Bluff.
Father Jaramillo will serve as a parochial vicar of Queen of Martyrs Parish, consisting of Our Lady of the Assumption Church and School in Beloit, St. Jude Church in Beloit, St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Beloit, and St. Stephen Church in Clinton.
Father Kearley will serve as a parochial vicar of Mater Dei Parish, consisting of All Saints Church and School in Berlin, Our Lady of the Lake Church in Green Lake, St. Mary Church in Kingston, St. Joseph Church in Markesan, St. James Church in Neshkoro, and St. John the Baptist Church in Princeton.
Father Ruhle will serve as a parochial vicar of Divine Mercy Parish, consisting of St. Maria Goretti Church and School in Madison, St. William Church in Paoli, and St. Andrew Church in Verona.