by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
TOPEKA — It was a momentous day for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas as Archbishop Shawn McKnight ordained three priests and one transitional deacon on May 23 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church here.
Not even the fire alarm that was accidentally set off near the beginning of Mass could extinguish the spirits of those who packed the church.
Just one day before the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s presence was revealed in more ways than one during the ordination of Father John Wesley Donart, Father Robert Gerard Rooney and Father William Donald Sutherland to the priesthood, and Deacon Alexander Randolph Rickert to the transitional diaconate.
Encouragement from the shepherd
It was the first group of men ordained by Archbishop McKnight since he was installed in the archdiocese and the first time a transitional deacon was, in recent memory at least, ordained alongside the new priests.
The Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann and dozens of priests who traveled from near and far for the special day.
In his homily, Archbishop McKnight proclaimed how timely it was that the ordination fell in between the Solemnity of the Ascension and Pentecost Sunday.
“It is fitting today that we celebrate the sacrament of holy orders in between these great solemnities that pertain to the mission we have received from Christ risen from the dead and the communion we share in the Holy Spirit,” he said.
Archbishop McKnight addressed the four men sitting before him, quoting Brother Charles de Foucauld, who said to God in prayer, “Whatever you do with me, I thank you. I am ready for everything. I consent to all.”
“This way of living in accord with God’s will demands active and conscious decision that may demand at times blood and tears,” said the archbishop, “but it also can bring us a deep and abiding peace, a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives.”
Archbishop McKnight encouraged Rickert “to be a man of faith and a man of your word.”
“Your joyful service as a deacon will help the whole church witness Christ’s resurrection in our day,” he added.
The archbishop concluded his homily in prayer for the new priests through the intercession of Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, and St. John Vianney.
He prayed that “you and I may serve faithfully along with our brother priests to shepherd our church in the joy of the Gospel and with a profound sense of gratitude for his merciful love.
“And may the good Lord inspire more vocations to the ministerial priesthood to serve in our archdiocese by helping others to abandon themselves to the will of God.”
For the beauty of the church
Daniel Sutherland said he and his wife Mary are “in awe of” their son’s vocation to the priesthood, although his interest in it began at a young age.
Growing up, Sutherland “was very responsible, obedient, considerate, kind,” said Mary.
“As a youngster, he was unusually prayerful,” she added, “always contemplating spiritual matters in a way that was really neat and noticeable.”
Mary recalled the time when her family started praying the rosary in the evenings when Will was around 9 years old.
At one point, when they had family members visiting who weren’t Catholic, they decided not to pray it.
“And then we got out of the habit,” said Mary. “One week turned into one month and it turned into two months.”
Until one evening, Will asked his parents a question.
“We got done eating and we were getting ready for bed, and he looked at us and said, ‘When are we going to start praying the family rosary again?’” recalled Mary. “We’ve been praying it ever since.”
Dan said his son has multiple qualities that will serve him well as a priest.
“He’s very intelligent,” he said. “He’s a great listener. He’s going to hear [people] out and think about what he’s going to say.
“He’s a very kind person, and he’s definitely got a heart for serving other people.”
The Sutherlands look forward to seeing what the priesthood has in store for their son.
“He really loves the Lord very much and our Catholic faith,” said Mary. “And I’m certain he’ll be totally dedicated towards meeting everyone he encounters with the love of Christ and the truth and beauty found in his church.”
From a place of compassion
Rooney’s journey to the priesthood was long, winding and marked by patience and sacrifice, according to his older brothers Father John Rooney of the Diocese of Lincoln and Father Don Rooney of the Diocese of Arlington.
Rooney spent 30 years as a litigator and trial lawyer and entered seminary twice before he finally completed seminary studies the third time.
“I kept reminding him what was in his heart — what he knew that was so strong,” said Father John.
“He has at times been concerned that he’s not going to be a young, cool priest like so many get to be,” he added. “But he has a youthfulness that’s beyond many others.”
Despite the fact that the brothers ended up following the same vocation, Father Don said they couldn’t be more different.
Father John studied physics, Father Rooney was a lawyer and Father Don’s background is in fine art and painting.
“We’re all so totally different,” said Father Don. “It shows the Holy Spirit has a sense of humor.”
Father John believes Father Rooney’s personality will be an asset to his priesthood.
“I see him having become an incredibly compassionate person,” said Father John.
“I see him when he talks to people,” he continued, “and he is thoroughly engaged in them, really listening, really giving himself to them.
“He has a big heart for people.”
Father Don said his brother’s openness to the priesthood after a successful career is a testament to his character.
“It’s remarkable to me,” said Father Don.
He believes his brother’s life experience will help him understand how to pastorally care for the people he serves.
“Bob really has a lot of experience in that,” said Father Don. “He hasn’t wasted his life, that’s for sure, because he comes to the priesthood with so many gifts.”
In service to God’s people
Father Dan Mauro remembers when Donart told him he was considering a call to the priesthood while the two were working at Camp Tekakwitha in Williamsburg.
“Even though those qualities were there, it surprised me,” said Father Mauro. “I didn’t think it was something he’d be thinking about.
“But also, it was one of those moments where as soon as he said it, [I knew] that would be a really good fit.”
Donart and Mauro were a year apart at St. James Academy in Lenexa and became better friends while working at camp.
“One of the things that stood out to me in those moments and in John right away was his deep sense of responsibility,” said Father Mauro.
Donart was always concerned for the “safety of the campers but also caring for their souls,” he added.
Father Mauro was also struck by his friend’s deep spirituality.
“Before he was a seminarian, he was leading groups of people saying the Liturgy of the Hours,” he said. “His prayer, but also his being a leader — they were both really evident.”
Witnessing his friend’s ordination was an exciting moment for Father Mauro, who just completed his first year as a priest.
“It’s a great blessing for our archdiocese,” he said.
Father Mauro believes “his dedication, his love for the people of God” will serve Father Donart well in his life as a priest.
“John and I are both on the introvert side,” he said. “His willingness to stretch himself in lots of ways for love of God’s people — I think people will see that immediately.”
