SEA ISLE CITY – “Be agents of healing and use your passion to build up the Kingdom of God.”
Such was the advice of Bishop Dennis Sullivan as he ordained seminarians Timothy Mulranen and Thomas Piro to the Order of Deacon the morning of May 11 in Saint Joseph Church.
Hundreds of family, friends, faithful and women religious filled the pews as the Knights of Columbus and Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre processed into the church, followed by dozens of deacons, more than 60 priests and the Diocese’s seminarians. Joining Bishop Sullivan in the procession was Bishop James Massa, rector of Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y., where Mulranen and Piro attend seminary.
PHOTO GALLERY: Diaconate Ordination
During the Mass, the two young men took the next step on their journey to the priesthood and publicly resolved to fulfill their new responsibilities of liturgy, word and service to the Church. They pledged to “hold fast to the mystery of faith … keep the commitment of celibacy … and conform [their] way of life always to the example of Christ.”
Bishop Sullivan urged the two men to be agents of healing to all they encounter. “Transmit the Word of God to change lives and open hearts. Our people are starving for the Word of God. Proclaim God’s Word boldly, but with deep love.”
“Serve and welcome the poor as if you are serving Christ himself,” he continued. “Let your conduct at the altar inspire the people, so they turn their thoughts and hearts to Christ, the Presence in the Eucharist. Work the harvest with zeal … and help the Kingdom of God grow and spread.”
Each man was vested with his new stole and dalmatic – Deacon Mulranen by Deacon Thomas O’Brien of Church of the Incarnation, Mantua, and Deacon Piro by Father Perry Cherubini, pastor of Saint Joseph Church.
From Bishop Sullivan, the two received the Book of the Gospels, the “Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become.”
“Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach,” Bishop Sullivan said.
As the Mass came to a close, Bishop Massa expressed admiration and enthusiasm for the new deacons, whom he called “fine young men. … It’s a joy to see these men grow. We are truly grateful and blessed to have been participants in their journeys.”
After Mass, hundreds filed into the parish center for food and camaraderie and to congratulate the new deacons.
Deacon O’Brien, who serves on the diocesan Vocations Advisory Board, has known Deacon Mulranen since he was a child.
“I hope he enjoys his diaconate year,” he said of the newly ordained Mulranen. “Sometimes, you can get caught up thinking about becoming a priest – and that will come. But right now, you’re a deacon. Enjoy baptisms, preparing couples for marriage and helping wherever you can in the parish.”
Father Adam Cichoski, the Diocese of Camden’s director of vocations, reflected on when he first got to know both Deacon Piro and Deacon Mulranen – on a seminarian pilgrimage that included Lourdes, France, and walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. At the time, the now-deacons were early into their discernment paths, and Father Cichoski was parochial vicar at the Parish Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lindenwold.
Since then, Father Cichoski said he has “watched the two grow into mature Christian men, and seen the great hope and the great joy they have. They’re zealous and ready to serve.”
Debbie and Anthony Piro shared in that enthusiasm for their son.
“It’s been a very exciting day for the family,” Anthony Piro noted, saying that he’s appreciated seeing his son mature in the faith during the discernment process. “He’s always had the right things [in his heart].”
Also attending the ordination was Deacon Piro’s sister and brother-in-law, Samantha and Anthony Greto, and their children Anthony, Arianna, Dominic and Vincent.
“We are all super proud of him,” Anthony Greto said. “It was easy to see him picking this path. He’s setting a good example for my children.”
Deacon Mulranen’s mother, Denise, said she has seen her son’s loyalty to the Church throughout his entire life.
“This is an occasion that Tim’s been preparing for a long time. When he was younger, he played ‘church’ in our basement,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve always envisioned him here.”
Pride shined in her eyes as she spoke of his ordination to the diaconate. “I’ve never seen him so excited for something. … He loves his Church, he loves His God, he loves His people. This is what Timmy is born to do. He’s home.”
Benjamin Suarez, a fellow seminarian for the Diocese of Camden, called the deacon ordination a blessing and a public witness to the faith.
“It’s solidifying my own call to the priesthood,” said Suarez, who is finishing his first year at the College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Andrew’s Hall, Seton Hall University, South Orange.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
