MONONA — On the night of May 13, two men prayed at the statue of Our Lady of Fatima on her feast day.
Transitional Deacons Mark Foley and Simon Tipps prayed for her intercession on the night of their diaconate ordination at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.
It was the next big step in their journey to the priesthood that will reach its completion, God-willing, next year.
Devotion to Our Lady
“Both of our diaconal candidates have a profound devotion to Our Lady,” said Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison during his homily.
He added the Blessed Mother helped the two men through many trials and challenges.
“She shows us, she teaches us what the whole life of consecrated service in Christ looks like,” said the bishop.
Bishop Hying remarked that Deacon Tipps’ mother Karen made the chasuble that the bishop was wearing that night adorned with blue and gold that shone in the light and called to mind the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Ordination Mass
Along with Bishop Hying, concelebrating priests at the Mass included Fr. Luke Strand, vice-rector at St.Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee, and Fr.Raúl Gómez-Ruiz, SDS, rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Divinity in Hales Corners, Wis., along with other priests of the Diocese of Madison.
Diocesan seminarians Ryan Ruhle and Anthony Kersting served as readers and Deacon Matthew Pearson served as the Deacon of the Word. Deacon Pearson is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Madison on Friday, May 27, at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison.
Music ministry was provided by members of the Madison Diocesan Choir and Diocesan Schola with Andrew Kreigh as organist and Glenn Schuster as conductor.
Deacon Foley was vested by Deacon Scott Padrnos from the Diocese of Duluth.
Deacon Tipps was vested by Deacon Kevin Harmon from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
As part of the ordination rites, both men knelt before Bishop Hying as he placed the Book of the Gospels in their hands and exhorted, “Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you preach.”
Both men separately kissed the book solidifying their promises.
Deacons in attendance, both transitional and permanent, lined up and hugged the newly-ordained as a sign of peace and welcome to the order of the diaconate.
The two men, now vested in the diaconate, remained near and next to the bishop throughout the remainder of the Mass.
About the new deacons
Deacon Foley, son of Maurade and Alan Foley, is from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson. He’s attending St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee.
His summer assignment will be at St. Bernard Parish in Madison.
Deacon Tipps, son of Karen and Steven Tipps, is from St. Cecilia Parish in Wisconsin Dells. He’s attending St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee.
His summer assignment will be at All Saints Parish in Berlin, and Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Green Lake.