August 19, 2011

One step closer

You may know that Mr. Andrew Nelson, a former Theology teacher and Campus Minister at Trinity High School, is studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Manchester.  This year he begins his fourth year which means he will soon be ordained a transitional deacon (May 26, 2012 to be exact).

As one prepares to become a deacon, he takes part in a ceremony called the Rite of Candidacy.  This means:

The Admission to Candidacy rite offers the candidates for ordination the opportunity to publicly express their intention to receive ordination as a Deacon and...later as a Priest.

Yesterday Mr. Nelson was admitted to candidacy at a special ceremony at Transfiguration Parish in Manchester. Bishop John McCormack presided while most of the seminarians and the two current transitional deacons for the diocese assisted.  I attended along with Mr. Maurier, Mr. and Mrs. Belliveau, Ms. Risdal, and Mr. Carnevale.  There were also many priests, friends, and family in attendance.

It was a simple ceremony within the context of Evening Prayer.  As I was watching, I could not believe that Mr. Nelson has already made it this far - it seems like yesterday that he left Trinity.  A very nice reception followed in the parish hall - and they even had buffalo tenders (they must have known I was coming!!)

Please continue to pray for Mr. Nelson as he gets closer and closer to priesthood.

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