Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio ordained 10 men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Prospect Heights, on Saturday morning.
“These devoted men are truly a blessing to our Diocese. Their deep faith and different backgrounds will help grow and enrich our multi-cultural Church in Brooklyn and Queens,” said Bishop DiMarzio. “It is my privilege to welcome these young men to the Presbyterate of Brooklyn.”
Immediately after being ordained, the new priests received their parochial assignments to serve the faithful of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
The diocesan network New Evangelization Television (NET TV) provided live coverage of the Ordination Mass, which was also live streamed on www.netny.tv.
NET TV is a cable network featuring news and information with a Catholic point of view, and is available in the New York area on Time Warner Cable, Channel 97, Cablevision, Channel 30, and nationally on Verizon FiOS On Demand.
Photos, brief biographies and details of the first Masses of thanksgiving of the men follow.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio ordained 10 men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens on Saturday, June 27 at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights. He was joined on the altar by Auxiliary Bishops Raymond Chappetto, Octavio Cisneros, and Paul Sanchez; retired Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq; and Bishops-elect James Massa and Witold Mroziewski.
Following a long journey to the priesthood, Father Alexander Piñacue, 49, looks forward to working closely with parishioners and being a witness of faith.
Brooklyn native Father Rafael Jason Perez, 29, looks forward to “being able to encounter, serve and love Christ in God’s people.”
Father Mark Matthias, 51, was inspired by St. Augustine’s words, “Late did I love thee, Oh Lord.” Like St. Augustine, Father Matthias discovered God’s plan after life took in him different directions.
A missionary spirit brought Polish-born Father Lukasz Lech, 30, to the Brooklyn Diocese, where he hopes to build bridges between God and His people.
For Father Daniel O. Kingsley, 26, the journey to priesthood began with one simple question: “Have you ever considered Cathedral Preparatory Seminary?”
Father Jose Andres Henriquez Castano, 28, knows the value of engaging youth in the life of the church; he needs only to look in the mirror.
Father Christopher Ryan Heanue, 27, says his “yes” to God and priesthood is something that happens everyday.
For Father John Gribowich, 36, the best type of ministry is to love others. “I have a great love for the poor ever since I was in high school. I want to live the social justice mission of the church.”
Italian-American Father Nicholas Colalella, 24, who began discerning his priestly call in high school, is ready to cast his life for God.
