Overflowing congregation welcomes three new priests with joy, applause
Transitional deacons Thomas Day, left, Liam Hosty and Isaac Siefker lay prostrate in prayer on June 7 in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral during the Mass in which they were ordained as priests. Joining them in prayer is Archbishop Charles C. Thompson. (Photos by Sean Gallagher)
By Sean Gallagher
Catholics from across central and southern Indiana filled SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral to overflowing on June 7 for the ordination of three new archdiocesan priests: Fathers Thomas Day, Liam Hosty and Isaac Siefker.
With all 950 seats of the cathedral filled, parents and children, young adults and Catholics of all ages stood at the back of the cathedral during the joyous liturgy. (Related: See a photo gallery from the Mass | More photos)
At the start of the Rite of Ordination of Priests during the Mass, after Archbishop Charles C. Thompson said, “Relying on the help of the Lord God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers, for the order of the priesthood,” the large congregation expressed their approval by an applause that surged as the transitional deacons turned to face them.
Then-Deacon Hosty beamed with happiness as he looked across the crowded cathedral and saw many relatives, friends and others from across the archdiocese whom he has come to know through his formation and ministry.
“My heart was just expanding, knowing that I will be serving them as a priest,” he told The Criterion.
In his homily, Archbishop Thompson reminded the men he was about to ordain of the goodness of the faithful across central and southern Indiana, represented by those who filled the cathedral.
“… Although we are called to be leaders of faith and to be examples of holiness, we can be amazed at times at the holiness of the people with whom and for whom we serve,” Archbishop Thompson said. “Never take that for granted.”
That thought filled Father Siefker’s heart and mind as he looked out on the congregation as they applauded.
“I just thought of the experiences I’ve had with them,” he said after the Mass. “They think of me as ministering to them. But I receive much back from them.”
One, holy, catholic and apostolic
In his homily, Archbishop Thompson reflected on the four marks of the Church—one, holy, catholic and apostolic—professed in its creed, which was first defined 1,700 years ago at the Council of Nicaea.
The oneness of the Church, Archbishop Thompson said, is a reminder that it belongs to Christ alone. He reminded the deacons that they “must remain true to the mission and teachings of the Church, never severed from its head and cornerstone, Jesus Christ.”
Holiness in the Church, Archbishop Thompson noted, comes solely from God.
“The Church is holy because of the abiding presence and grace of the Holy Trinity,” he said. “This is the way God chose to save us, not as individuals in a vacuum from one another but as a community of believers gathered in his name and presence.”
On the “catholic,” or universal, nature of the Church, Archbishop Thompson said that each person who makes up the faithful “in every nook and cranny of the world, … lends to the beauty, goodness and truth of unity in diversity reflecting the face of God.”
The Church’s roots in the Apostles lead those called to the priesthood, Archbishop Thompson said, to “keep in mind that his promise of respect and obedience binds him to this apostolic way of remaining steadfast in the authenticity of the Church rather than some preferred version of his liking.”
“The Church is founded on the Apostles, and it is the successors of the Apostles, especially the Holy Father and one’s bishop, that the priest should look and listen to for guidance … .”
In his last words to the deacons, Archbishop Thompson noted that such trends in contemporary culture as “radical individualism, consumerism and the dehumanizing standards of polarization” can make living an authentic priestly life and ministry difficult.
To persevere and grow in this, he said, priests “must be rooted in prayer personally and with the community, in Scripture, the word of God, sacramental grace—not only being dispensers of that grace, but also receivers, in need always of that grace—generosity of service, presbyteral fraternity, ongoing formation and education and lifelong conversion.
“Everything about the Church—especially the liturgy and everything within it, particularly the homily—belongs to the people of God rather than any individual, deacon, priest or bishop,” Archbishop Thompson said in closing. “In a word, we must, especially as priests, remain Christ-centered in our life and ministry within the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, founded on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ.”
‘It felt completely natural’
At the start of the ordination liturgy, the three men to be ordained sat with their parents. When the rite of ordination was complete, they took their place among the approximately 80 priests present at the Mass.
After the liturgy, Father Day told The Criterion that the movement “felt like the most natural thing in the world” to him.
“It just felt like this was the way it should be,” said Father Day. “It felt completely natural, like I was at home.”
Home for Father Day starting on July 2 will
be Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood, where he will serve as parochial vicar (associate pastor).
His parents, Michael and Jeanette Day, members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carmel, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese, were happy to see their son joining so many priests who have become his brothers in Christ.
“They’re all his friends,” she said. “I said to Mike, ‘Look at all the friends he has.’ It was beautiful.”
“There is strength in numbers,” Michael said. “Being part of a great group like this is going to give Tom confidence moving forward.”
‘Called from the community’
For permanent Deacon Thomas Hosty and his wife Julie, the parents of Father Liam Hosty, seeing many priests who have served at St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis, their spiritual home, ritually lay hands on their son and embrace him in a sign of peace was like seeing their son’s life flash before their eyes.
“He’s had the privilege of absorbing their goodness and grace,” Julie said. “I just pray that he continues to listen and reach out to them for the rest of his journey, because it’s not over.”
Father Hosty was aware of the power of so many priests, who helped form him from the time he was a child, welcoming him into the priesthood.
“It was surreal,” he said. “I’ve called many of those priests ‘Father’ most of my life, and now I get to call them ‘brother.’ ”
Father Hosty will begin ministry on July 2 as parochial vicar of St. Ann Parish in Indianapolis and St. Thomas More Parish in Mooresville.
Like his son, Deacon Hosty was impressed by the applause that the congregation gave to his son and the other men to be ordained priests.
“Liam has always said that he was called from the community, and the community has lifted him up and supported him,” Deacon Hosty said. “Then he got to hear all of that support from the community. It was beautiful.”
‘Pure mercy, pure grace’
Dale Siefker, Father Siefker’s father, was overcome with the power of the ordination Mass.
“It was overwhelming,” said Dale, who with his family are members of St. John the Apostle Parish in Bloomington. “What a great blessing. What a great calling and a great gift from God.”
Father Siefker was similarly humbled during the Mass when Archbishop Thompson prayed the Rite of Ordination of Priests’ prayer of consecration. The prayer expresses the biblical roots of the Church’s priesthood.
“This is such an ancient thing,” he said. “It’s all part of God’s initiative and inspiration and finally brought to fruition in Christ. And I’m just this tiny, little bit of nothing … stepping into this much bigger picture, the infiniteness of Christ and his priesthood. I’m just a little drop in the bucket.”
Starting on July 2, Father Siefker will begin service as parochial vicar of Good Shepherd Parish in Indianapolis and Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Beech Grove.
Father Siefker may have gained some of his humility from his mother Monica. After the ordination Mass, she spoke to The Criterion about how she felt unworthy to be the mother of a priest.
“But I’ve come to see now that it’s the mercy of God,” said Monica. “It’s pure mercy, pure grace.” †
