June 6, 2008

Editorial

A time to celebrate as a Church family on June 7 …

It’s the time of year when bishops throughout the United States are ordaining this year’s newest class of priests.

Here in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein will ordain transitional deacons Aaron Jenkins and Joseph Newton to the priesthood at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The public is invited to attend.

As in years past, The Criterion has been able to profile the ordinands and offer readers a glimpse into our soon-to-be-ordained priests’ vocational journeys.

What we see are two men with very distinct callings, individuals who spent a brief time in other careers before fulfilling their call to serve God and our Church as priests.

In Deacon Jenkins, we have a convert to the Catholic faith.

In Deacon Newton, we have a former altar server who felt called to the priesthood at an early age.

We have also been able to share the two ordinands’ human side.

Deacon Jenkins’ love of art has been expressed in his works of stained-glass, and in the sculptures and paintings he has created.

Deacon Newton’s hobbies include doing mechanical work on his 1956 Chevrolet pick-up truck as well as reading, especially papal books and priest autobiographies. (Both transitional deacons’ entire profile stories can be found here: Aaron Jenkins | Joseph Newton)

While people in the pews no doubt appreciate learning about our ordinands’ interests, it is even more affirming to read about the gifts that mentors, professors and family members see the men bringing to the priesthood.

What we have learned about deacons Jenkins and Newton is that although these men took different roads to their priestly vocation, their love and commitment to the Church will shine through in their ministry.

June 7 will be a day of celebration as our Church family welcomes two new priests.

We are thankful that deacons Jenkins and Newton have generously responded to the Lord’s call to serve, and pray that God’s Providence will be at the center of their ministry as shepherds of our Church family.

—Mike Krokos


… And a time to honor our graduates

It is also that time of year when young people graduating from high school and college begin preparing for the next chapter in their lives.

We congratulate each of them, the thousands from our archdiocese who attended Catholic, public or private high schools or colleges, and students who were home-schooled as well.

Though there is a sadness for some as they close the book on this phase of life, the majority are filled with nervous excitement and anticipation as they eagerly await moving on and adding more chapters as co-authors of their book of life.

Despite the fear and trepidation some may feel, we need to remind them that they are not alone. God is with them, in joys and sorrows, in happy and sad times, through this adventure we know simply as life.

No matter where the Holy Spirit leads these young adults, we, as a people of faith, also need to offer them our prayers of support and encouragement.

What advice can older adults offer? We need to let these young people know there will indeed be challenges but, with faith as their bedrock, they—and our Creator—can work through anything.

While members of the older generation have learned that there are no guarantees in life, we have also come to know that with God all things are possible.

—Mike Krokos

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