DUNWOODIE — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, ordained six men as transitional deacons at St. Joseph Seminary in the Dunwoodie section of Yonkers on Nov. 9, including two who are studying to become priests for the Diocese of Brooklyn — Nestor Armando Martinez Barajas and Dragan Pusic.

For the six men, the ceremony was a step on their way to the priesthood. Both Deacons Barajas and Pusic are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in June at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Prospect Heights.

St. Joseph Seminary serves as a seminary for the dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre and the Archdiocese of New York.

Deacon Pusic, who is originally from Croatia and has spent 10 years in seminary formation in the Midwest and East Coast, including at Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Douglaston, said that he is ready to serve.

“This is the moment to be ordained,” he said. “We are very, very grateful to Bishop (Nicholas) DiMarzio for everything he does for us.”

Deacon Barajas is now studying at Holy Apostles & Seminary in Cromwell, Conn. He said he has one more semester to complete at the seminary, and will still actively serve at American Martyrs in Bayside in the meantime.

 

Special Day

“It’s a very special day,” Deacon Barajas said. “I waited for a long time, but I feel blessed that God gave me this opportunity to serve in His altar and also to serve His people. That’s a grace.”

Deacon Barajas, who is originally from Colombia, said he is looking forward to seeing how he can serve the diverse communities in Brooklyn and Queens in what is commonly referred to as the diocese of immigrants.

“Immigrants have a lot of necessities, and we have to be available, especially as a deacon to serve them in whatever they need,” he said. “I am very happy to serve them. That is the purpose of the diaconate.”

Also ordained at the same ceremony were Luis Silva for the Archdiocese of New York and Rafal Borowiejski, Paul Clores and John Crozier for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.