Cardinal Tobin to ordain 3 new priests, 8 new deacons
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will ordain eight transitional deacons and 19 permanent deacons during a Diaconate Ordination on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. He will then ordain three men to the priesthood during a Presbyteral Ordination on Saturday, May 24, at 10 a.m. Both ordination Masses will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.
All are welcome to attend the ordinations and offer prayers for the newly ordained as they begin their ministry in parishes across Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Attendees of the Presbyteral Ordination will also have the opportunity to receive the first blessings from the new priests, who will greet well-wishers after the ceremony.
Both ordination Masses will be livestreamed on the Cathedral Basilica’s YouTube page. Watch the Diaconate Ordination here and the Presbyteral Ordination here.
This year’s presbyteral ordinandi followed diverse paths to the priesthood. Despite their varied backgrounds, they share a common thread — lives transformed and enriched by God. They are:
Deacon Michael Bollinger, 29: Deacon Bollinger discerned his vocation during college, encouraged by trusted friends and mentors. His path to the priesthood was shared with his brother Robert, who entered seminary in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Both will be ordained priests one week apart.
Deacon Giovanni Cuzziol, 38: Deacon Cuzziol describes his vocation as a “great adventure.” This journey has led him to embrace the Neocatechumenal Way in his native Italy, serve as a missionary in Africa and join seminary formation within the Archdiocese of Newark. Next, he is eager to teach his parishioners about God’s love in his assigned parish.
Deacon Raymond Francis Walsh, 35: While his peers focused on careers and socializing, Deacon Walsh became increasingly involved in parish life. Eventually, he realized God was calling him to the priesthood, a vocation that strengthened during seminary and while serving as a missionary in Minnesota and North Dakota. Now, he looks forward to guiding others in discovering God’s presence in their own lives.
“I love how the Church embraces people with different personalities,” said Father Patrick Seo, director of priestly vocations. “The Church does not want cookie-cutter clergy; we want to embrace the wide variety of gifts and talents that the Holy Spirit offers through the people of God. This year’s ordinandi are great examples of that.”
The eight men to be ordained as transitional deacons — David Andrade, Alan de Almeida Barreto, Jorge Humberto Diaz Jr., Konrad Kosiek, Michael Oasheim, Ricardo Padilla, Jose Eduardo Sanchez and Jose Miguel Serafini-Careaga — are current seminarians. Over the next year, they will serve archdiocesan parishes by proclaiming the Gospel, performing charitable works and assisting in liturgical and sacramental life. Their ordinations to the priesthood are expected to follow in 2026.
The 19 men to be ordained as permanent deacons will fulfill similar responsibilities. However, unlike transitional deacons, permanent deacons are not preparing for the priesthood. They will continue their lives in the secular world, with many holding jobs and raising families. The 2025 class includes: Brian Richard Brockway, Jaime O. Bustos, Rigoberto Carabantes, Hialmar Francisco Espinoza, Luis Bernardo Henao, Colm Anthony Keogh, Alfonso Madé, Mario M. Medinaceli, Cesar Monge, Leandro Javier Ogando-Matos, Jorge A. Rivas Polanco, Ferdinand Rivera, Jeffery J. Rutkowski, Luis Oswaldo Sanchez, John R. Schmunk, Michael Ara Shea, Rafael Torres, Klever Urgiles and Eduardo Vineque.
“The Archdiocese of Newark is blessed to have the 19 men who will be ordained as permanent deacons,” said Monsignor Joseph R. Chapel, director of selection and formation for the permanent diaconate. “They represent the variety of experiences of our faithful, coming from nine countries. Most are married with children, and they share the same joys and struggles of those they will serve. We thank God for our new deacons and pray for all who will benefit from their ministry.”
Men discerning a call to the priesthood are encouraged to contact the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office of Priestly Vocations, which fosters a culture of vocations through prayer, recruitment and accompaniment. To learn more, visit www.newarkpriest.com.
To explore becoming a permanent deacon, email diaconate.formation@rcan.org to learn about the process and requirements.