By the will of God, four men became deacons in the Catholic Church and, God-willing, they will become priests next year.
The night of May 16 marked the ordination to the transitional diaconate for Deacons Casey Cooney, Barry Meinholz, Luis Reyes, and Mark Wagner at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona, part of Stella Maris Pastorate.
In the sight of their family and friends, along with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison, these men took their next steps toward the priesthood.
Also present to support them was Fr. Luke Strand, rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, where the men are undergoing their formation, along with fellow seminarians from there.
After the men answered “yes” to the call of the diaconate, they were vested as deacons.
Deacon Cooney was vested by Fr. Greg Ihm, former director of vocations for the Diocese of Madison, now serving as parochial administrator of St. Dominic Pastorate in the southwest part of the diocese.
Deacon Meinholz was vested by Fr. Martin Schaefer from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn., where he previously studied.
Deacon Reyes was vested by Msgr. Kevin Holmes, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Madison.
Deacon Wagner was vested by Fr. Tim Mergen, a priest of the Diocese of Madison who is currently serving a military assignment.
Upon his ordination to the priesthood, Deacon Wagner will also have future service in a military capacity.
Representing the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, was Auxiliary Bishop F. Richard Spencer.
During his homily, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison told the men, “In coming to know and esteem you these past six years, in all of your varied and gifted individuality, I have great confidence that you will faithfully and effectively put into practice this exhortation that comes to you from Christ tonight — to receive, to believe, to teach, and to practice the Gospel.”
He added, “Your deep love for the Lord, your gentle humanity, your fusion of love and truth, your heroic perseverance in the seminary, all the hours of prayer that you have spent before the Blessed Sacrament, and your radiant faith will all serve you well as you go forth to proclaim the Gospel to every creature and to make disciples of all nations.”
He continued, “The Holy Spirit sets you loose tonight to do as much good as you possibly can in this brief life.”
At the end of Mass, Bishop Hying expressed his gratitude for those who made the evening possible.
Also part of the Mass were Diocesan Choir and Schola under the direction of John Sittard with Michael Mills as the organist.
Knights of Columbus from assemblies 1198, 1200, 1948, and 2275 served as honor guard.
Religious Sisters and consecrated virgins residing in the Diocese of Madison were also in attendance.
The four new deacons are anticipated to be ordained to the priesthood next year.