April 28, 2020

Springfield priest ordinations rescheduled to Saturday, Aug. 15

REGIONAL
Staff report

(iObserve photo/courtesy of Mary Jeanne Tash)

SPRINGFIELD — Due to ongoing precautions related to the coronavirus pandemic, the priesthood ordination of five men for the Springfield Diocese, originally scheduled for June 6, will now be held on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral, here.

“Just as it has impacted virtually every aspect of our lives in recent months, the COVID-19 crisis has now forced us to move the ordination to August 15,” said Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski. “This delay, however, will only increase in us the gratitude, joy, and appreciation for the calling these five men are answering to serve God’s church faithfully here in the Diocese of Springfield.”

The bishop also announced the five seminarians will take part in an upcoming “Chalice of Salvation” televised Mass.

“In anticipation of their August ordinations, I will join with the five transitional deacons for a special ‘Chalice of Salvation’ televised liturgy to air on Sunday, May 24,” he said.

Father Michael Wood, co-director of vocations for the Diocese of Springfield, agreed that, in spite of the delay, the 2020 priesthood ordinations will be a time of rejoicing.  

“All of us have been asked to make sacrifices during these difficult times and our transitional deacons are no exception. They have been preparing for this moment for years and now need to delay it a few more months,” said Father Wood. “However, August 15 will be a special day to be ordained, under the care and protection of Our Lady of the Assumption,” said Father Wood.

“It will also, hopefully, be a time that we can gather as a diocese to celebrate, with their family and friends, five new priests who will serve God and his people,” he said. “In the meantime, please pray for these men as they pray for you, the people of the diocesan community.”

The transitional deacons to be ordained Aug. 15 are:

Deacon Valentine Nworah was a student of religious studies at Siena Heights University, in Adrian, Mich., and of speech communication at Lone Star College in Houston, Texas. He is currently at St John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass. 

Deacon Matthew Barone is from Chicopee and attended the former St. Patrick Elementary and Holyoke Catholic High schools and Our Lady of the Elms College. He also is completing his priesthood studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

Deacon Michael Goodreau grew up in Wilbraham where he graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School. He earned an associate’s degree from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor of science degree in history from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He is completing priesthood studies at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass.

Deacon Sinh Hong Trinh was born in Vietnam and spent 17 years in a refugee camp in the Philippines. He is completing his fourth year of theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn.

Deacon Stanislaus Achu attended St. Joseph Major Seminary in Ikot Epkene, AI, Nigeria; Providence College, Providence, R.I.; and is currently at St. John’s Seminary, in Brighton.

Deacon Achu

Deacon Trinh

Deacon Goodreau

Deacon Barone

Deacon Nworah