October 17, 2008

Seminarian Sean Danda is ordained a deacon in Rome

Sean DandaArchdiocesan seminarian Sean Danda, a member of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, was among 25 American and Australian seminarians who were ordained transitional deacons by Bishop William P. Callahan, an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, on Oct. 9 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Referring to the ordination rite, Bishop Callahan remarked in his homily, “Through the action of God’s grace and the imposition of the hands of the bishop, these men become servant ministers among God’s people, heralds of hope in the manner of Jesus Christ, who ‘came not to be served, but to serve.’ ”

The bishop’s message centered on the promises of prayer, chastity and obedience made by each of the new deacons.

This “discipline called forth by the Church mirrors most emphatically the life of Jesus who came to give his life for the ransom of all,” Bishop Callahan said. “Ultimately, in the life of the servant of God, there is no other gift that one can give than the gift of oneself in union with Christ.”

Archdiocesan seminarians Jeremy Gries and John Hollowell, members of Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Indianapolis, and Peter Marshall of St. Mary Parish in Indianapolis are scheduled to be ordained transitional deacons on Oct. 25 at the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einseideln in St. Meinrad.

Seminarian Christopher Wadelton, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis, is scheduled to be ordained a transitional deacon on Dec. 20 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Indianapolis.

The seminarians are expected to be ordained to the priesthood next June. †

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