At a reception following the Ordination Mass, lines were long for blessings from newly ordained Father McShane. Here he bestows a blessing on members of his family, including parents John and Diane, brothers Andy and Michael, sister-in-law Jackie, and nieces Sears (gazing up at him) and Clara. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

When Father Daniel McShane was in fourth grade, he wrote in his class journal that he wanted to be rich so he could give all his money to the poor.

“He’s always been very kind, so joyful,” said his mother, Diane, in offering insights about her son to The Catholic Post during the reception following the Ordination Mass on May 25.

“Even as a child and all through his years of high school and college, he always found the good in others,” she continued. “Danny is such a blessing to our family. I’ve learned so much from him about faith and family.”

The McShane family joins in The Lord’s Prayer during the Ordination Mass. Those pictured include Father McShane’s parents, John and Diane, his brothers Andy and Michael, and niece Clara. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Father McShane is the youngest of three sons of John and Diane McShane. While the McShanes are now members of Holy Family Parish in Lincoln, they raised their children in South Bend, Indiana.

John McShane said Danny called them to a breakfast at the University of Illinois during his senior year in Champaign to tell them of his decision to go the seminary. They knew his thoughts of priesthood had begun at Marian High School in South Bend, and that Msgr. Gregory Ketcham was “very influential in Danny’s life” at St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the U of I.

Mr. and Mrs. McShane had roles both at a prayer service the night before their son’s ordination — they brought forward the chalices that Father McShane will use in his priestly ministry for consecration by Bishop Jenky — and at the Ordination Mass, at which they carried the gifts of bread and wine.

Both agreed the most memorable part of the ordination ceremonies was when their son lay prostrate on the sanctuary floor while the assembly sang the Litany of the Saints.

“It brings me to tears,” said Diane McShane.

The McShane family — including sons Andy and Michael, as well as Andy’s wife Jackie and their young daughters Sears and Clara — gathered around a kneeler at the Spalding Pastoral Center to receive the first of many blessings given by Father McShane at the reception following the Ordination Mass.

The McShanes said their son’s new parishes in Monmouth and Raritan can expect a kind, joyful, generous priest.

Outside of priestly duties, Father McShane likes to play golf and does it very well, according to his father.

Your son’s favorite foods, Mom?

“He’s not picky,” she replied. While he enjoys everything from meatloaf to lasagna to tacos, “he really loves fruits and vegetables — they’re more important to him than meat,” said Diane.