'No Greater Love': Bishop Smith ordains three men to priesthood
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
On hand for the ordination, a rite rich in symbolism and history, were many of their brother priests, who concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Smith, as well as family members, friends and other well wishers.
In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Smith made special mention of Msgr. Robert F. Coleman, rector and dean of Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, Msgr. Joseph G. Prior, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., and Father Daniel Doherty, director of pastoral formation at St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, the seminaries where men from the Trenton Diocese prepare for their priestly studies.
A Rite Rich in MeaningThe Rite of Ordination began as the then deacons – Rev. Messrs. Bogacz, Vala and Wilson – came before Bishop Smith, who announced that they had been chosen for the order of priesthood. Father Dennis Apoldite, director of the diocesan House of Priestly Formation, called the candidates forth, and they attested that they were prepared and approved for ordination. Each candidate told the bishop he came willingly and faithfully to the priesthood and then each man promised his obedience to the authority of the Church.
As the three men prostrated themselves on the floor before the altar, the Litany of Saints was chanted, asking the intercession of the saints in sending the Holy Spirit down upon the new priests.
Bishop Smith ordained each man by laying his hands on their heads and praying silently, invoking the Holy Spirit upon each. Priests who were in attendance then laid hands on the heads of the ordinands, signifying their sharing in one priesthood.
The newly ordained priests were then vested by brother priests with the stole and chasuble – outward signs of the priestly office. Father Wilson’s vesting priest was Father Sigmund Peplowski, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, West Milford. Father Vala’s vesting priest was Father Michael Sullivan, pastor of St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, and Father Bogacz’s vesting priest was Father Mark Kreder, pastor of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River.
The three priests then once again came and knelt before the bishop as he anointed their palms. Following the presentation of the gifts by family members of the new priests, each man was presented with a paten and chalice. After the rite of ordination was complete, each of the priests concelebrating the Mass greeted the new priests with a sign of peace in the form of a warm embrace. They then joined Bishop Smith in celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist for the first time.
In his homily, Bishop Smith briefly incorporated each of the Readings proclaimed at Mass into the significance of the ordination. The bishop then “introduced” each of the men by recounting their backgrounds – families, education and previous work experiences.
Of the First Reading, Isaiah 61:1-3, “The spirit of the Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn,” Bishop Smith spoke of Isaiah bringing “Good News.”
“We have good news here in the Diocese of Trenton,” with the ordination of three men to sacred priesthood, he said.
In the Second Reading, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-7, “St. Paul tells us not to be disturbed and certainly we have much reason not to be disturbed because we find men who are willing to live the way the Gospel tells them to live.” In John’s Gospel, 15:9-17: “No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” Bishop Smith said the newly ordained priests have been called to live a sacrificial life for the good of others.
“These Scriptures are being lived out in the Church in all of your lives and as lay people, as religious, as deacons and as priests. We all live those Gospel values, but today we celebrate those Gospel values being lived out in a particular way by men who have brought themselves forward and the Church deems worthy for ordination to the priesthood through the laying on of hands.”
Looking AheadFollowing the ordination Mass, the three priests gathered with Bishop Smith in the cathedral rectory where the bishop presented them with their new parish assignments.
Father Bogacz, 57, who prepared for the priesthood in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, will become parochial vicar of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River.
Father Vala, 45, who prepared for the priesthood in Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, will become parochial vicar of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Holy Trinity and St. John the Baptist Parishes, Long Branch, where he served as a transitional deacon. The three parishes will be merged to form Christ the King Parish, July 1. Father Wilson, 31, who prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Pa., will become parochial vicar of St. Rose Parish, Belmar.
Reflecting on his ordination, Father Vala said he couldn’t “have been happier” that day and noted how “very happy” his family was for him. The day, however, was tinged with sadness for the Vala family for it had only been four weeks since Father Vala’s father died on April 27.
Although it’s sad, “I believe my father is now in heaven with my mother” who died 17 years ago, he said. Father Wilson found his ordination day to be a very “profound experience” and said that the most meaningful moments for him were the chanting of the Litany of Saints and the laying on of hands by the bishop and the concelebrating priests.
“It was as if they were welcoming us into the fraternity of the priesthood,” he said.
Father Wilson, who celebrated his first Mass May 31 in St. Joseph Church, West Milford, said he is looking forward to his new assignment in St. Rose Parish, and noted how pleased he is that his June 19 arrival date happens to fall on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the opening day of the Year of the Priest.
“I thank the Lord for the call and inviting me to the life of the priesthood,” he said.
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On hand for the ordination, a rite rich in symbolism and history, were many of their brother priests, who concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Smith, as well as family members, friends and other well wishers.
In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Smith made special mention of Msgr. Robert F. Coleman, rector and dean of Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, Msgr. Joseph G. Prior, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., and Father Daniel Doherty, director of pastoral formation at St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, the seminaries where men from the Trenton Diocese prepare for their priestly studies.
A Rite Rich in MeaningThe Rite of Ordination began as the then deacons – Rev. Messrs. Bogacz, Vala and Wilson – came before Bishop Smith, who announced that they had been chosen for the order of priesthood. Father Dennis Apoldite, director of the diocesan House of Priestly Formation, called the candidates forth, and they attested that they were prepared and approved for ordination. Each candidate told the bishop he came willingly and faithfully to the priesthood and then each man promised his obedience to the authority of the Church.
As the three men prostrated themselves on the floor before the altar, the Litany of Saints was chanted, asking the intercession of the saints in sending the Holy Spirit down upon the new priests.
Bishop Smith ordained each man by laying his hands on their heads and praying silently, invoking the Holy Spirit upon each. Priests who were in attendance then laid hands on the heads of the ordinands, signifying their sharing in one priesthood.
The newly ordained priests were then vested by brother priests with the stole and chasuble – outward signs of the priestly office. Father Wilson’s vesting priest was Father Sigmund Peplowski, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, West Milford. Father Vala’s vesting priest was Father Michael Sullivan, pastor of St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, and Father Bogacz’s vesting priest was Father Mark Kreder, pastor of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River.
The three priests then once again came and knelt before the bishop as he anointed their palms. Following the presentation of the gifts by family members of the new priests, each man was presented with a paten and chalice. After the rite of ordination was complete, each of the priests concelebrating the Mass greeted the new priests with a sign of peace in the form of a warm embrace. They then joined Bishop Smith in celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist for the first time.
In his homily, Bishop Smith briefly incorporated each of the Readings proclaimed at Mass into the significance of the ordination. The bishop then “introduced” each of the men by recounting their backgrounds – families, education and previous work experiences.
Of the First Reading, Isaiah 61:1-3, “The spirit of the Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn,” Bishop Smith spoke of Isaiah bringing “Good News.”
“We have good news here in the Diocese of Trenton,” with the ordination of three men to sacred priesthood, he said.
In the Second Reading, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-7, “St. Paul tells us not to be disturbed and certainly we have much reason not to be disturbed because we find men who are willing to live the way the Gospel tells them to live.” In John’s Gospel, 15:9-17: “No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” Bishop Smith said the newly ordained priests have been called to live a sacrificial life for the good of others.
“These Scriptures are being lived out in the Church in all of your lives and as lay people, as religious, as deacons and as priests. We all live those Gospel values, but today we celebrate those Gospel values being lived out in a particular way by men who have brought themselves forward and the Church deems worthy for ordination to the priesthood through the laying on of hands.”
Looking AheadFollowing the ordination Mass, the three priests gathered with Bishop Smith in the cathedral rectory where the bishop presented them with their new parish assignments.
Father Bogacz, 57, who prepared for the priesthood in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, will become parochial vicar of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River.
Father Vala, 45, who prepared for the priesthood in Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, will become parochial vicar of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Holy Trinity and St. John the Baptist Parishes, Long Branch, where he served as a transitional deacon. The three parishes will be merged to form Christ the King Parish, July 1. Father Wilson, 31, who prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Pa., will become parochial vicar of St. Rose Parish, Belmar.
Reflecting on his ordination, Father Vala said he couldn’t “have been happier” that day and noted how “very happy” his family was for him. The day, however, was tinged with sadness for the Vala family for it had only been four weeks since Father Vala’s father died on April 27.
Although it’s sad, “I believe my father is now in heaven with my mother” who died 17 years ago, he said. Father Wilson found his ordination day to be a very “profound experience” and said that the most meaningful moments for him were the chanting of the Litany of Saints and the laying on of hands by the bishop and the concelebrating priests.
“It was as if they were welcoming us into the fraternity of the priesthood,” he said.
Father Wilson, who celebrated his first Mass May 31 in St. Joseph Church, West Milford, said he is looking forward to his new assignment in St. Rose Parish, and noted how pleased he is that his June 19 arrival date happens to fall on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the opening day of the Year of the Priest.
“I thank the Lord for the call and inviting me to the life of the priesthood,” he said.
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