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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2010 /  'You are the answer to Jesus' prayers'

by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published May 28, 2010

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DETROIT — Six men were ordained Saturday for the Archdiocese of Detroit, and one for Cameroon, in a standing-room-only Mass that reflected the different cultures the men represent.

Greeting the congregation in both English and Spanish, for family members of Frs. Adalberto Espinoza and Bernardo Cruz, Archbishop Allen Vigneron told family members, friends and other supporters of the seven men that "The Holy Spirit has blessed all of us by being here so He can participate in what Christ is about to do."

The Mass also included a Gospel acclamation from Cameroon, reflecting the culture of Fr. Benedict Ehinack, ordained for the Archdiocese of Douala, Cameroon.

In his homily, which also incorporated Spanish, the archbishop congratulated everyone who had helped the ordinandi on their way to the priesthood. Calling to mind when the Holy Spirit visited Mary, "the Holy Spirit will come down upon you, reshape you, and make you a new creation," he told the ordinandi. "He will make you into the image of Jesus that was impressed upon you at your baptism," he said.

Since that was planned by God, and the Holy Spirit has been at work in all their lives, "drawing you here, perhaps sometimes even pushing you here," he added, to chuckles from the crowd.

Archbishop Vigneron, in his homily, talked about God as a shepherd, and how Jesus told his disciples that he is the Good Shepherd. "Jesus is the prototype of being a shepherd in the Church," he said.

"He is not here for the sake of fulfilling a contract," he added, how Jesus distinguishes Himself from a hired hand. "He said, 'Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father; I know mine, and mine know me.'"

"To be a disciple is to share in the life that Jesus shares with the Father."

Through ordination, the newly ordained, who have been friends of Jesus since their baptism, will receive a new configuration of that friendship, he said: "a new way to belong to Him and for Him to belong to you."

After the homily was the rite of ordination, with the seven men making the Promise of the Elect, and laying prostrate on the altar. The archbishop then laid hands on them, the moment of ordination, which was followed by the other priests laying hands on the newly ordained, and the anointing their hands. They then received a standing ovation, and celebrated the rest of the Mass with the archbishop.

After communion, Fr. Arwady addressed the congregation: "It's tough to become a priest, and without the prayers and support of so many people, none of us would be here today," he said. He then thanked the people in their lives who helped them get there today, and for friends and family members present. Fr. Espinoza expressed the same sentiments in Spanish.

Before and after ordination, family members and friends gathered from near and far to support the men. Joseph Behina, father of Fr. Ehinak, traveled from Cameroon; other family members and friends came from as far away as Atlanta and Virginia: "This is my finest hour," he said. "Everything God has done for us today, I am very, very grateful."

Maria de Jesus Cruz, sister of Fr. Cruz, and many of his family members were able to visit from Guadalajara, Mexico. "It's been a very long journey, but we are all filled with joy," she said. "We thank God we were able to be here this special day."

She said she couldn't imagine how popular her brother was until she saw it for herself at the Mass. "We love him, and we want him to be an element of change for the good."

Nearly every family member said they were proud of their son, brother or uncle. Cecilia Espinoza, Fr. Adalberto's sister, said she and her family were especially proud of him because he continued with his formation even with needing a new kidney, and other health issues. "He's made it a long way," she said.

His niece, Nancy Rodriguez, said her uncle's helpful nature and kindness to others will make him a great priest. "He cares about the people," Cecilia Espinoza agreed.

Family members also recognized how hard the men have worked over the years, including Beverly Zuelch, Fr. Michael Zuelch's sister. "He's a fine man and a priest now," she said. "We're very proud of him."

Carol Dumas, Fr. John Dumas' older sister, said her brother's journey to the priesthood began before he was born. Their mother was told she shouldn't have any more children, and after talking it over with their father, they decided if God did bless them with another child, they'd dedicated that child to God.

He entered the seminary once before leaving, but eventually came back. "We're not surprised," Carol Dumas said. "It's the right time for it. We're all happy."

Fr. Craig Giera also took a winding road to the priesthood, working as an artist first. David Giera, Fr. Giera's brother, joked that his brother has enough degrees now and could stop going to school. "We've been very proud," he said. "He's taken the time to find out what he wanted to do, and got the calling."

This was the second time watching a son be ordained for Lester and Judith Arwady, who watched Fr. James Arwady's twin, Fr. Raymond Arwady, be ordained last year. Still, that didn't calm Judith Arwady's nervous energy: "I got four hours of sleep — I couldn't go to bed 'til after 2 a.m.," she said. "I'm excited, happy, nervous."

Lester Arwady said seeing his son be ordained a priest was a "great pleasure." "I think they're going to be tremendously great priests," he said. "They'll really do well and excel in the Church."

"It's an honor," Judith Arwady agreed. "What a wonderful blessing from God."

Nine other graduates of Sacred Heart Major Seminary also will be ordained this year. To be ordained in their own home dioceses are Javier Hoyos-Huaman of Cajamarca, Peru; Ted Mauch of Gary, Ind.; Sean Palas of Belleville, Ill.; Anthony Strouse of Lansing; Mathias Thelen of Lansing; Pieter VanRooyen of Lansing; Andrew Vogel of Winona, Minn.; and Thomas Wasilewski of Lansing. Also, Anthony Kathawa will be ordained in Southfield for the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle.

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