Red Bank Oratory welcomes newly ordained priest
December 20, 2025 at 3:16 p.m.
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Bishop O'Connell imposes hands on the head of Rev. Brother Donald Ronning, C.O., ordaining him a priest. Matt Marzorati photosDuring a Mass celebrated Dec. 20 in the Oratory Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., ordained Rev. Brother Donald Ronning, C.O., to the priesthood.
Bishop O'Connell served as principal celebrant and homilist. Concelebrants included priests from the Diocese as well as those from other Oratories of St. Philip Neri and representatives from Seton Hall University, South Orange, where those oratorians who are studying to be priests receive their academic formation.
Reflecting on the passage in the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (3:15), Bishop O'Connell said, "The Lord God tells the people of ancient Israel: 'I will give you shepherds, after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.'"
"Today, over 23 centuries after Jeremiah's encouraging prophecy, the Lord God continues to keep his word as God gives to the Church of Central New Jersey another good priest, a member of the Redbank Oratory of St. Philip Neri here at St. Anthony of Padua Parish," the Bishop said.
"Brother Donald responded to that call," Bishop O'Connell said.
Check back with TrentonMonitor.com to view more story coverage and a photo gallery from Father Ronning's Ordination Mass.
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Bishop O'Connell imposes hands on the head of Rev. Brother Donald Ronning, C.O., ordaining him a priest. Matt Marzorati photosDuring a Mass celebrated Dec. 20 in the Oratory Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., ordained Rev. Brother Donald Ronning, C.O., to the priesthood.
Bishop O'Connell served as principal celebrant and homilist. Concelebrants included priests from the Diocese as well as those from other Oratories of St. Philip Neri and representatives from Seton Hall University, South Orange, where those oratorians who are studying to be priests receive their academic formation.
Reflecting on the passage in the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (3:15), Bishop O'Connell said, "The Lord God tells the people of ancient Israel: 'I will give you shepherds, after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.'"
"Today, over 23 centuries after Jeremiah's encouraging prophecy, the Lord God continues to keep his word as God gives to the Church of Central New Jersey another good priest, a member of the Redbank Oratory of St. Philip Neri here at St. Anthony of Padua Parish," the Bishop said.
"Brother Donald responded to that call," Bishop O'Connell said.
Check back with TrentonMonitor.com to view more story coverage and a photo gallery from Father Ronning's Ordination Mass.