Cherry Hill — Urging them to “walk with your people,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan ordained Deacons Peter Gallagher and John March to the order of the priesthood earlier today.
In front of their families, friends, deacons, religious, and now-brother priests here at Christ Our Light Parish, Cherry Hill, the men joined the ranks of the presbyterate after studious years of seminary formation at Seton Hall University’s Saint Andrew College and Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, NJ, and at Rome’s Pontifical North American College.
“Peter and John, walk with your people” in their “problems, worries, and joys,” Bishop Sullivan implored them.
“You’re not ordained for yourself, but for all women and men. Be fathers…to this local church in Camden.”
The prelate asked the congregation to pray to the Lord to “pour out the gifts of heaven on these servants,” so that, in turn, the two priests may be gifts to South Jersey.
“We pray that you would be holy, like the saints,” Bishop Sullivan continued.
Saints like Philip Neri, who “included the lay faithful in the work of evangelization. Do the same. Be priest evangelizers.
“Live spiritedly the priesthood, and willingly do pastoral ministry. Conform yourself to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.”
Rev. Gallagher was vested by Father Michael Romano, former Diocesan Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Camden, and current Director of Admissions for the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Rev. March was vested by Father Adam Cichoski, current Director of Vocations for the diocese.
The special day also saw the two new ordinandi impart their first blessings to Bishop Sullivan, the priests gathered, and the congregation.
Their first Masses tomorrow morning as ordained priests will be live-streamed on the Diocese of Camden’s YouTube and Facebook channels, and on www.camdendiocese.org.