Local Religious life

Three ordained to the transitional diaconate

John Donart, Bob Rooney, and Will Sutherland stand before the congregation as they prepare to be ordained transitional deacons on May 17 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas. PHOTO BY MARY KATE KRAUSE

by John Sorce
john.sorce@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Through the laying on of hands, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann ordained John Wesley Donart, Robert Gerard Rooney and William Donald Sutherland to the transitional diaconate on May 17 at the Cathedral of St. Peter here.

The three will continue their path toward priestly ordination next year.

The Election of the Candidates took place after the reading from the Gospel of John. The three men were called forward to stand before Archbishop Naumann and announce their presence to loud applause from the congregation.

In his homily, Archbishop Naumann talked about the three men he would ordain to the priesthood on May 24, who were in this same position a year ago.

“These eight days are special for the archdiocese,” he said. “It’s one of the special joys of being a bishop to be able to ordain them to the diaconate and priesthood. John, Bob and Will may be the last men that I ordain to the diaconate. Help me finish this ministry strong.”

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann performs the ritual of the laying on of hands on Bob Rooney during the Mass in which Rooney was made a transitional deacon. PHOTO BY MARY KATE KRAUSE

He talked about each of the deacon’s parents — John and Lisa Donart, Donald and Marie Rooney and Dan and Mary Sutherland.

“I’m particularly grateful to the parents of Bob, Will and John,” the archbishop said. “Bob’s parent’s Donald and Marie Rooney are deceased, but I’m certain they are very much present with us today. They were a couple of deep and sincere faith, and they created an environment in their home where, with Bob’s ordination, three of their four sons embraced the call to the priesthood.”

Archbishop Naumann then discussed his own personal chalice that he was using for the Mass, which belonged to a priest from St. Louis. His family added a gold cross to the base of the chalice that contains the diamonds from his mother’s engagement ring.

It serves as a reminder of the fruits of the vocation of Christian marriage.

“It always reminds me that my vocation as a deacon, priest and now bishop is the fruit of my parents’ vocation of Christian marriage,” Archbishop Naumann said. “We give thanks today for Bob’s, John’s and Will’s parents for your marriages and give thanks for one of the fruits of your vocation of Christian marriage — and that is your sons’ ordination today to the diaconate.”

Will Sutherland accepts a hug from Archbishop Naumann as he was made a transitional deacon. Deacon Sutherland will serve at Good Shepherd in Shawnee this summer. PHOTO BY MARY KATE KRAUSE

After the homily, the trio came forward to stand before the archbishop and promised to fulfill the ministry of deacon. Next, each man went forward to kneel before the archbishop and promise obedience to him and his successors.

Then came the Litany of Supplication, when the three men lay prostrate next to the altar. Afterwards, they came to Archbishop Naumann, one by one, for ordination by the ancient rite of the laying on of hands.

Each deacon was then vested and received a Book of the Gospels from Archbishop Naumann, who commanded them to “believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”

Deacon Donart was vested by Deacon Mike Wilson, from the Cathedral of St. Peter. Deacon Rooney was vested by Father Jerry Arano-Ponce, pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary in Wea. Deacon Sutherland was vested by Father Nathan Haverland, pastor of Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka.

After this, the three deacons received a greeting from other deacons that were in attendance. They then joined the other clerics at the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Deacon John Donart incenses the crowd at his transitional diaconate Mass on May 17. The new deacons will be ordained priests next year. PHOTO BY MARY KATE KRAUSE

Archbishop Naumann praised the three men for choosing a lifestyle that many fear — namely, promising obedience to bishop, soon to be Archbishop Shawn McKnight – in a world that “fears commitment and exalts personal freedom.”

But the benefits of what they will gain far outweigh what they will lose, he said.

“Your promises today close the possibility for some future opportunities for your life,” the archbishop said. “However, they open a path that offers incredible opportunities to enter the lives of God’s people in a beautiful, profound way.

“This entire congregation is praying for you to open your hearts and welcome the Holy Spirit, who desires to make you courageous witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus.”

Each will serve as deacons in archdiocesan parishes for the summer before returning for one more year of seminary studies in the fall. Deacon Donart will serve at Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka, Deacon Rooney will serve at Prince of Peace in Olathe and Deacon Sutherland will serve at Good Shepherd in Shawnee.

To view more photos from the transitional diaconate ordination, click here.

About the author

John Sorce

John comes to The Leaven after spending two and a half years as the Sports Editor at The Emporia Gazette. Born in Staten Island, New York, and raised in Central New Jersey, John felt a pull to the Midwest after becoming a Royals fan at a young age and always had his sights set on settling down in the Kansas City area. He majored in Communication at Monmouth University and wrote for numerous publications in the Garden State, including the Asbury Park Press and NJ Advance Media. He has been to over 20 current and past MLB stadiums, with his favorites being Kauffman Stadium and PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

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