Saturday May 29th was a day of great rejoicing for the Diocese of Tyler as Bishop Joseph Strickland ordained four transitional deacons to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler.
In the Gospel reading for the Mass of Ordination on Saturday, those present heard these words from John’s Gospel:
Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternity. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
John 12:25-26
In a special way, these new priests are called by our Lord to follow him, serve him and to care for his Church. As the lay faithful, we are called to love and support these priests in their mission to be servants of Christ and his Church. Let us be sure to constantly keep them in our prayers.
At the end of the Ordination Mass, Bishop Strickland announced assignments for the new priests.
- Fr. David Bailey is assigned to St. Mary Magdalene in Flint.
- Fr. Michael Ledesma is assigned to Sacred Heart in Nacogdoches for the summer. In the fall he will return to Rome to complete one more year of studies.
- Fr. Albert Motte is assigned to St. Edwards in Athens.
- Fr. Nicholas Nappier is assigned to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler.
You can view pictures from the Ordination Mass here.
