News

Three to be ordained to priesthood June 3

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	More information: • For photos and biographies of Dave Duffeck, Quinn Mann and Walter Stumpf, see the December 16, 2005 article about their ordination to the transitional diaconate and this photo.

Bp. David Zubik will ordain three men to the Holy Order of Priesthood at the Mass of Ordination, 10 a.m., Saturday, June 3 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.

Dave Duffeck of St. Josaphat Parish, Oshkosh (home parish); Quinn Mann of Corpus Christi Parish, Sturgeon Bay; and Walter Stumpf of Holy Spirit Parish, Kimberly/Darboy, will be ordained priests for the Diocese of Green Bay.

The Mass of Ordination is not only a celebration for the newly ordained, their families and friends, but for the entire diocese, said Fr. Tom Long, Vocation Director.

"The ordination can be a real moment of both teaching and spurring faith," he said. "Most people have never been to an ordination. There is discernment on the part of the men feeling a call to the priesthood. The call also needs to be discerned on the part of the church."

Following the procession into the cathedral, Fr. Long will testify to the readiness of the candidates during the Rite of Ordination. The assembly will then show its consent through applause.

"That's a real affirming moment for the guys," said Fr. Long. "It says that the church of this diocese very much affirms their call."

The Mass of Ordination also includes:

• Examination of the Candidates and Promise of Obedience, where the candidates place their hands in the hands of the bishop to promise obedience and surrender to God.

• Laying on of Hands, where the bishop invokes the Spirit and imposes his hands on the men's heads.

• The Prayer of Consecration in which the bishop asks God to grant the candidates the dignity of the priesthood.

• Litany of the Saints during which the candidates prostrate themselves as a sign of openness and humility before God.

• Anointing their hands with Holy Chrism to consecrate them for sacred activities.

Following the Laying on of Hands, the priests in attendance place their hands on the heads of the newly ordained.

"They enter into the presbyterate of the Diocese of Green Bay," said Fr. Long. "They share ministry with the other priests and in union with the bishop. Our priesthood is not something for us alone. It is a shared ministry of the diocese."

The candidates officially become priests following the Laying of the Hands and the Prayer of Consecration. Bp. Zubik will present each newly ordained priest with a chalice and paten to signify the centrality of the Eucharist in their ministry.

"Ordination is their first Mass," explained Fr. Long. "Some people think the Mass of Thanksgiving at their home parish is the first Mass, but they are priests for the Eucharist at the Mass of Ordination."

The candidates offer many gifts, said Fr. Long.

"Dave will bring deep spirituality," he said. "He is involved with different prayer groups. He's done some extra studies in the area of spirituality. I think he will bring not only a deep faith to his parish, but to the diocese as a whole."

"The other seminarians talk about Walter being the holiest of the seminarians," he continued. "He is very involved in the pro-life movement. At the seminary, he organized seminarians going down for sidewalk prayer sessions at abortion clinics. He is also real open to learning about and working with the Hispanic community. He has done internships at St. Therese in Appleton and retreats at the diocesan mission in the Dominican Republic."

Fr. Long points to Mann's energy for ministry as one of his many strengths.

"Quinn has wonderful zeal for the church and the faith," he said. "He has taken up Pope John Paul II's call for a new evangelization. He started Catholic Youth Expeditions, a campaign for school students and young adults, using the Paschal Mystery Machine (a 60s-style vocations van) to get them interested, and then talking about faith. Quinn brings good energy and challenge to our diocese in terms of continuing to reach out to people."

The three men were ordained transitional deacons on Dec. 17, 2005 [photo]. Duffeck is a recent graduate of St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana. Mann and Stumpf recently graduated from University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary in Illinois. During the past five months, Mann interned on weekends at Holy Spirit Parish, Kimberly/Darboy, while Stumpf served at St. Therese Parish in Appleton.

A special section in the June 9 issue of The Compass will include features on the newly ordained priests and coverage of the Mass of Ordination.