by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Archbishop Shawn McKnight’s message to the new pastors of the archdiocese tied into the unique rite of their installation.
“The exercise of the power of authority that you now have,” he said, “is to be done in a spirit of collaboration, collegially with one another — not acting like lone rangers but with the mind of the presbyterate whose head is the bishop.
“[It is] to act together as much as possible, all the while being attentive and adapting things as necessary to your local parish or parishes.”
In that same spirit of companionship, nine priests were installed as pastors together by Archbishop McKnight during solemn vespers at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 17.
Typically, the archbishop would install each pastor individually at his own parish.
“[W]e are doing that for all the new pastors at one time here at the cathedral,” said Archbishop McKnight, “partly because you have a new archbishop and he just didn’t have time to get everything scheduled.”
“But, it is very fitting this rite is taking place here at the mother church,” he added.
Each pastor invited guests to the installation, which Michael Podrebarac, consultant for liturgy and sacramental life for the archdiocese and cantor for the vespers, found particularly special.
“I think it’s a great opportunity not only for our pastors,” he said, “but especially for the folks that are traveling with them to make a pilgrimage to our cathedral.”
“It’s a nice opportunity for the archbishop to host and provide hospitality to his new pastors and their parish delegations,” he continued.
In his homily, Archbishop McKnight expressed his hope “for the representatives of the various parishes who are receiving a new pastor . . . see one another and that you are reminded that we belong not just to a parish but to a universal church as Catholics.”
The archbishop expressed how important it is for pastors to utilize their unique charisms, to be close to the faithful and available to meet their spiritual needs.
“But most of all, we need good leadership from you,” he said, “to lead the people of God in your charge to heaven.
“We desire that the faithful come to know Jesus Christ through you.”
The archbishop encouraged the pastors to lean on the laity as they move forward in their new parishes.
“They’re not subjects,” he said, “but they are fellow disciples who also are gifted with many talents — natural and supernatural charisms that benefit the life and mission of the church.
“It is your role to lead them to a harmonious exercise of those charisms, to fulfill the mission your parish has to proclaim the kingdom of God in word and deed in the territory for which you and they are responsible.”
After the archbishop’s homily, the pastors professed their faith and made an oath of fidelity to the archbishop and to the church. Archbishop McKnight then declared them to be installed in their parishes.
After vespers, the priests and their guests shared a meal at the parish center.
Podrebarac was excited for the pastors, who he said hold “in my estimation one of the most difficult and yet rewarding jobs on planet Earth.”
“It’s a great responsibility to be a pastor,” he continued. “It’s a lot of hard work. It’s not always easy work.
“But, of course, knowing that they are serving their people in their parishes, serving the bishop as his collaborators and, in a sense, his representatives in the parish, I think it’s rewarding.”
The archbishop closed his homily with words of encouragement for the pastors.
“Do not feel alone or isolated, but look to your brother priests and to me for assistance, for counsel, when it is needed,” he said. “But never forget to look to the counsel of the laity, especially of those of ministries of responsibility and those who serve as your close advisers.
“For this is the will of the mother church, and I believe it is the will of Christ himself.”
To view more photos from the installation, click here.
Installed pastors
Father Mohana Bathineni — St. Joseph in Wathena, St. Benedict in Bendena and St. Charles, Troy
Father Keith Chadwick — Christ the King in Kansas City, Kansas
Father Michael Guastello — St. Matthew in Topeka
Father Joel Haug — Sts. Peter and Paul in Seneca
Father Jeremy Heppler — St. Benedict in Atchison
Father Thomas Maddock — Holy Angels in Garnett and St. John the Baptist in Greeley
Father Anthony Mersmann — St. Joseph in Olpe and St. Mary in Hartford
Father Mark Ostrowski — Holy Name of Jesus in Kansas City, Kansas
Father Anthony Ouellette — Christ the King in Topeka
Father John Torrez — Immaculate Conception in Louisburg (Father Torrez was unable to attend the installation.)
Quotes from the pastors
Father Mohana Bathineni
“It made sense as the archbishop alluded to in his homily to be installed as a pastor at the ‘parish of the archdiocese’ by the archbishop who’s the pastor of the archdiocese. This is my 25th year and I have been a pastor for several years in the past; so I am not looking forward to doing anything special but doing the basics right under the guidance of the archbishop.”
Father Michael Guastello
“The cathedral is a very special place for me, as I was ordained both a priest and deacon at the cathedral, and served at the cathedral while I was a transitional deacon in 2016. It was exciting to be back for my installation as pastor of St. Matthew in Topeka.
What I am most looking forward to is being involved in our Catholic grade school and school of religion at St. Matthew, all-school Masses, and working with our teachers and catechists to form disciples of our Blessed Lord Jesus.”
Father Joel Haug
“It was a powerful experience to be officially installed as a pastor with my brother priests with our new archbishop together in the cathedral. It was for me a reminder of bigger reality we are a part of and the power and security that comes from being under the authority of the archbishop at the service of God’s people.”
Father Jeremy Heppler
“I am in the unique position of returning as pastor to a parish where I recently served. I found a special beauty and connectivity with the other the new pastors. The installation at the cathedral was a wonderful reminder of how within our individual parishes we are all part of the local church of this archdiocese.
I look forward to reconnecting with the parishioners in the parish, continuing the journey of faith together, and working with parishioners to attractively encourage many other people to draw closer to Jesus.”
Father Thomas Maddock
“It was a gift to be back at the cathedral where I was ordained a transitional deacon. Being there with the archbishop and my brothers I felt a real sense of the communion we share as a local church. It reminded me that although I am now in a rural area my mission should always be in close union with the bishop and in collaboration with my brother priests. It was comforting to know I will have the support of the archbishop and my brothers as I begin my mission.
Besides the non-spiritual consolations of delicious country food probably the real possibility of getting to know most if not all of my flock on a more personal level. Just as the Good Shepherd knows his sheep I am hopeful and excited to get to know my people.”
Father Anthony Mersmann
“I was really grateful for the simple but meaningful ceremony. The fact that we were all together for the installation was a helpful reminder that we aren’t pastors on our own islands. We’re meant to be united with one another and on mission with our archbishop.
I’m excited to learn from my parishioners. Even as I lead them, I know they’ll be teaching me plenty. I’ve already had the benefit of learning a lot from the faithful of my previous assignments. It’ll be awesome to see how God decides to use us all working together.”
Father Anthony Ouellette
“I am looking forward to having the opportunity to serve a larger community (who haven’t heard most of my homilies), and walking with Father Will Carey, one of our newly ordained priests, as he begins his priestly vocation.”
