June 30, 2018

Diocese of Springfield welcomes two new priests

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – After years of preparation and prayer, Deacons Michael Kokoszka and Frank Furman processed into St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield Saturday, June 30, ready to become the Diocese of Springfield’s newest priests. Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski celebrated the special 11 a.m. Mass called the Rite of Priestly Ordination.

“As the church of Springfield, we gather on this joyful day to ordain Michael Kokoszka and Frank Furman to the priesthood. We welcome them as brothers in our midst, who through the grace of God and the workings of the Holy Spirit will be ordained for service to God’s people in his holy church,” Bishop Rozanski said in his homily.

The cathedral was filled with family, friends, brother priests from across the diocese, deacons and seminarians. After Bishop Rozanski’s homily, the Rite of Ordination took place, with the presentation of the candidates and the election by the bishop and consent of the people. The bishop then asked each candidate his intention to exercise the ministry of the priesthood. As the rite continued, Father Kokoszka and Father Furman lay prostrate on the altar as a sign of total submission to God, as the congregation sang the Litany of the Saints.

This was followed by the Laying On of Hands, the most solemn part of the ordination rite. The bishop recited the “Prayer of Consecration” asking God to grant them the “dignity of the priesthood.” The new priests were then clothed with the priestly stole and the chasuble, a vestment worn at Mass. Finally, Bishop Rozanski anointed each priest with the oil of chrism, which is also used at baptism and confirmation.

“This is just great, an overwhelming sense of gladness and joy,” said Father Michael Kokoszka. The oldest of three children, Father Kokoszka grew up in Three Rivers and attended St. Mary School in Ware. He graduated from Palmer High School in 2000. He credits the rosary for his vocation. After earning his associate’s degree, Deacon Kokoszka drove a tractor trailer. While he was behind the wheel, he prayed. Father Kokoszka graduated from Westfield State University in 2009 with a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics.

“After six years, you come to receive the crown jewel of the priesthood, so it’s a great thing,” said Father Kokoszka. “We celebrate out first Masses tomorrow. We celebrated with bishop today. So there’s just a lot of joy.”

Father Frank Furman is from Easthampton, where he attended Our Lady of the Valley Parish. Both he and his father are Fourth Degree members of the Knights of Columbus Easthampton Council 1116. He attended the Pontifical North American College (NAC) in Rome. He said he is looking forward to celebrating the sacraments and serving.

“The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and from that all of the other sacraments spring,” said Father Furman. “Having the other sacraments available to me, to go anoint people, to be with them in times of suffering, this will just be a joyful summer for me.”

Father Matthew Alcombright, the co-director of vocations for the diocese, said Catholics need to pray for more vocations.

“We need priests because we need the Eucharist. The Eucharist is only given to us through the hands of the priest,” said Father Alcombright, who was ordained in 2012. “Jesus set this up. He instituted this, the most ancient rite of the church, to ordain men who will give of themselves, to give the Eucharist, to give Christ truly present in that host, to the people.”

Currently, there are 10 men in priestly formation for the Diocese of Springfield.

“It’s important for people to pray for vocations in their family, in their parishes, to ask God to bless us with more vocations,” said Father Michael Wood, the co-director of vocations. “But also, do not be afraid to suggest to a young man or a not so young man that they might have the skills and talents that God can use to be an effective priest.”

A Holy Hour for Vocations was held on the eve of the ordination, Friday, June 29, which was also the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul in the Holy Spirit Chapel at St. Michael’s Cathedral. Father Furman’s mother attended with other family members.

“My hope for my son is that he will be a great priest and save thousands and thousands of souls,” JoAnn Furman told iObserve.

Father Furman is assigned to St. Agnes Parish in Dalton. Father Kokoszka is assigned to St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow.

For a video version of this story, tune in tonight to “Real to Reel,” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly television newsmagazine that airs Saturday evenings  at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.