GLASSBORO – The Catholic faithful of South Jersey welcomed two new shepherds this morning, as Rev. Mr. Timothy Stephen Mulranen and Rev. Mr. Thomas Kristopher Piro were ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Camden.
“This is the day the Lord has made; we rejoice and are glad in it,” Bishop Joseph A. Williams said at the start of the Ordination Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish.
“Undoubtedly, the Mulranen and Piro families feel that joy more deeply than the rest of us,” Bishop Williams said. “Their hearts must be bursting with joy – that this day, the Lord … will make your son, brother, nephew, priests of Jesus Christ. We get to be witnesses” to Jesus’ work, he said.
Indeed, hundreds of clergy, religious, seminarians, classmates, family, friends and more filled the pews for the Ordination Mass. Among those to concelebrate the Mass were Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan; Bishop James Massa, rector of Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y, where the two studied for the priesthood; Father Michael Romano, past director of vocations for the Diocese of Camden, and now vice-rector and director of admissions at Rome’s Pontifical North American College; and Father Jon Thomas, diocesan vicar general.
In front of those in the pews and those watching on livestream, the two marked their commitment to their new mission, resolving to “discharge unfailingly the office of the Priesthood in the presbyteral rank … carry out the ministry of the Word worthily and wisely … to celebrate the mysteries of Christ reverently and faithfully … [and] to consecrate [themselves] to God for the salvation of all.”
“May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment,” Bishop Williams responded.
In his homily, Bishop Williams reminded the two men that, as priests, they follow in the footsteps of the first apostles, the “witnesses of … all the things that Jesus Christ did,” echoing the liturgy’s first reading of the Acts of the Apostles. “All of His works, and all His wonders, and the wonder of all wonders, which is Jesus Christ being raised from the dead.”
“Are we joyful witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?” he emphasized, telling the two men that the apostles recalled the words of the Savior at the Last Supper: “Do this in memory of me.”
In their ministry, the two will become co-workers of the mission of Jesus Christ, the salvation of souls.
Bishop Williams also expressed appreciation and pleasure in reading the words of the two men over the years, as they reflected on their discernment to the priesthood.
Recalling when Deacon Piro expressed excitement before his diaconate ordination last year, to proclaim the Gospel and preach in the name of the Church, Bishop Williams recited the young man’s writing: “I will do this by preaching at Mass with my words, and leading the faithful by my actions.”
“What a preacher you will be, Deacon Tom,” Bishop Williams said.
When Deacon Mulranen wrote about his experience in parish ministry, the Bishop continued, he shared his realization that “the people of God make the parish beautiful. For it was the people of God who made my experience as a deacon this past year fruitful.”
“My heart was singing when I read those words,” Bishop Williams told Deacon Mulranen.
He urged both men to preach the Kingdom of God not just in their words, but in their actions. “If our lives do not match the words that we preach, they will not practice what we are preaching. Our preaching is founded on the life we live.”
Directing his words to the families of the two ordinandi, Bishop Williams noted that in “seeing your love for the faith, and for your sons, it’s no mystery where the vocation of your sons comes from. Thank you for your example.”
“What a joy for the Diocese of Camden. Exceptional seminarians, now exceptional priests.”
During the rite, Bishop Williams anointed the palms of each man with Holy Chrism, and handed over to them the paten and chalice, vessels of the Body and Blood of Christ, and a sign of their responsibility to bring Jesus to all they encounter.
Next, the fraternal greeting was bestowed on them by the Bishop, with the concelebrating priests following in the same manner, to welcome the new men into the presbyterate.
Vesting the two new priests with the stole and chasuble – garments of their ministry – were their mentors in the spiritual life: Father Francis Mulranen, Father Mulranen’s uncle; and Father Joseph Wallace, Father Piro’s former pastor at Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Wildwood.
The elder Father Mulranen, parochial vicar-senior priest at Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Norristown, Pa., expressed “unbelievable joy that my nephew is a brother priest … we are fellow disciples, and followers of the Lord.”
He remembers his nephew, from a young age, “visiting me in the rectory, talking with the other priests. He had an interest [in the priest life]. He would get in theological discussions with them.”
The young Father Mulranen’s parents expressed pride in a son “who’s always had love for the Church,” said his mother, Denise.
“People ask me if I’m surprised he wanted to be a priest. I tell them, ‘It’s always been Timmy. He’s always wanted it. He’s where he’s supposed to be.’”
She added that her son’s outgoing nature, and ability to draw in others by “talking from the heart,” will serve him well with all he encounters as a priest. “He’s genuine in sharing his love of the faith. He’s telling you his truth, and he hopes it becomes your truth.”
Father Piro’s mother, Debra, expressed excitement for a son who’s always been “kind and caring to everyone.”
“I’m happy and proud of him,” she continued, adding that she has enjoyed witnessing Father Piro’s faith deepen on his path to ordination. “He’s always been close to God, but this journey has brought him even closer.”
Looking forward to her son’s new ministry, she’s most excited to see him “bring the faith to the young Church, and help them learn about God.”
Father Wallace, remarking that he has known Father Piro from his time in grade school, said that even then, “I could sense that he had a vocation to the priesthood [in his] willingness and joy in serving others, with a great interest in all things spiritual and Church-related.”
“I could not be prouder of this young man, and I know he will make a wonderful priest.”
After Mass, hundreds of supporters received first blessings from the two new priests in nearby Mercy Hall.
Father Adam Cichoski, director of vocations for the Diocese of Camden, noted his pleasure in seeing now-Father Mulranen and now-Father Piro “go from being good men, to good leaders, to, now, good clergy.”
A powerful moment, for him, was when the two laid prostrate in front of the altar, as the congregation sang the Litany of the Saints.
“These men are literally laying down their lives, giving everything to Christ, knowing something greater will come from it,” he said.
Father Cichoski expressed hope that this public action would help witnesses, in the church or watching on livestream, reflect on their own openness to the Holy Spirit.
“For all of us, God is calling us to something great. He’s got a plan for us, and when we follow it, we’re going to find the happiness that [these two men] show in an amazing way, that joyfulness. The Diocese will benefit greatly from them; the people of God will be served greatly through their sacrifices, love and commitment.”
On Sunday, May 18, the two priests will celebrate their first Masses. Father Timothy Mulranen at 3 p.m. at Church of the Incarnation, Mantua, and Father Thomas Piro at 11 a.m. at Saint Ann Church, Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Wildwood.
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