Madison Diocese Ordains Largest Class Of Priests In Years
5 Priests Ordained In 2000
Posted: 12:16 pm CDT May 24, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Deacons in the largest Madison diocese class since 2000 were ordained Catholic priests Friday night in front of family, friends and parishioners at St. Maria Goretti Church.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportDeacons Brian Dulli, David Greenfield, Lance Schneider, and Patrick Wendler made up the largest class since 2000, when the Madison diocese had five men ordained.The new priests said it is a calling that took a lifetime to listen for."I believe that this is what He, the Lord, is calling me to do," Wendler said."Every moment I was just thinking, 'Should I become a priest or not become a priest?' And Jesus just wasn't letting up," Schneider said.And while the new priests believe their new vocation was fate, the Rev. Paul Ugo Arinze, of St. Joseph Parish in Dodgeville, said this year's class is a sign of strength within the Madison diocese."This is really an exciting day. We're ordaining four men. You've been hearing all about shortness of priests and that we don't have a lot of priests but four men, you got to be excited," Arinze said."God is the chief recruiter, and so if I had to put it in order, Jesus Christ is the main recruiter. And then Bishop Morlino, who's the bishop of our diocese," said the Rev. James Bartylla.Church leaders said that while the shortage of priests in recent years is in the hands of God, Bishop Morlino's efforts in reaching out have helped tremendously."I think that lately, especially since Bishop Morlino has come, we've seen a lot more men entering the seminary. And were very happy about that," said Dulli."I think it's amazing for the whole church because they've been praying for more young men to enter into the ministry," said parishioner Darlene Graf.Wendler, who used to work for a bread company, said his transition to the priesthood is actually a smooth one."I never really thought about it, but one of my seminarian brothers said, 'You went from one bread company to another.' But I said, 'It's a better product,'" Wendler said.Like Wendler, the diocese said that three of the four men have chosen the priesthood as "second career" vocations, meaning they held previous jobs unrelated to the church.The new priests will immediately work in the diocese, and many will celebrate their own Mass this weekend. The diocese said the men will help current associate priests and lead their own parishes in surrounding areas as well.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportDeacons Brian Dulli, David Greenfield, Lance Schneider, and Patrick Wendler made up the largest class since 2000, when the Madison diocese had five men ordained.The new priests said it is a calling that took a lifetime to listen for."I believe that this is what He, the Lord, is calling me to do," Wendler said."Every moment I was just thinking, 'Should I become a priest or not become a priest?' And Jesus just wasn't letting up," Schneider said.And while the new priests believe their new vocation was fate, the Rev. Paul Ugo Arinze, of St. Joseph Parish in Dodgeville, said this year's class is a sign of strength within the Madison diocese."This is really an exciting day. We're ordaining four men. You've been hearing all about shortness of priests and that we don't have a lot of priests but four men, you got to be excited," Arinze said."God is the chief recruiter, and so if I had to put it in order, Jesus Christ is the main recruiter. And then Bishop Morlino, who's the bishop of our diocese," said the Rev. James Bartylla.Church leaders said that while the shortage of priests in recent years is in the hands of God, Bishop Morlino's efforts in reaching out have helped tremendously."I think that lately, especially since Bishop Morlino has come, we've seen a lot more men entering the seminary. And were very happy about that," said Dulli."I think it's amazing for the whole church because they've been praying for more young men to enter into the ministry," said parishioner Darlene Graf.Wendler, who used to work for a bread company, said his transition to the priesthood is actually a smooth one."I never really thought about it, but one of my seminarian brothers said, 'You went from one bread company to another.' But I said, 'It's a better product,'" Wendler said.Like Wendler, the diocese said that three of the four men have chosen the priesthood as "second career" vocations, meaning they held previous jobs unrelated to the church.The new priests will immediately work in the diocese, and many will celebrate their own Mass this weekend. The diocese said the men will help current associate priests and lead their own parishes in surrounding areas as well. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
