Steps Along the Way

Order of Lector

One of the first steps on the path to ordination after entering into the Graduate School of Theology is being instituted into the Order of Lector. Lectors are the guardians of Sacred Scripture, appointed to read the word of God in the liturgical assembly.

Six seminarians were installed as lectors by the newly-ordained Bishop Francis Reiss, former faculty member of Sacred Heart. The ceremony took place at the seminary on October 3, 2003. Candidates in the permanent diaconate program for the Archdiocese of Detroit were installed the same evening.

Proclaiming Their Candidacy

On November 21, 2003, in Sacred Heart's main chapel, four seminarians and eight aspirants for the permanent diaconate were admitted to the Order of Candidacy. Prior to receiving Holy Orders, these men make a commitment to enter fully into the preparation and formation for priesthood and diaconal ordination.

Kalamazoo seminarians Christian Johnston and Patrick Craig, and Detroit seminarians Henry Sands and Andrew Bloomfield, were admitted to candidacy. Kevin Breen, Frederick Burrell, Stephen Bussa, Henry Kibit Jr., Paul Lippard, Lawrence Ruehlen, Vincent Small and Kenneth Weis were admitted to candidacy for the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

In January, the seminarian-candidates, who are in their third year of graduate school, will begin parish internships, learning to apply in a pastoral environment what they have learned in the classrooom.

Marquette Seminarians become Transitional Deacons

Placing their hands into the hands of their bishop, fourth-year theology students Robb Jurkovich and Corey Litzner were ordained as transitional deacons for the Diocese of Marquette. In the solemn rite of Holy Orders held on September 26, 2003, at St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette, the two pledged their obedience to their ordinary and made promises to live in celibacy for sake of the kingdom of God.

Most Reverend James Garland, bishop of Marquette, ordained the two men as preparation for ordination to the priesthood. Along with their studies, Deacons Litzner and Jurkovich lead the seminary community in the praying the Liturgy of the Hours, proclaiming the Gospel, preaching at Mass and assisting the presider at liturgical functions. They are expected to be ordained to the priesthood in June 2004.