Bishop Tylka will ordain three transitional deacons May 20
The seminarians who will be ordained transitional deacons on May 20 are (from left) Jacob Martini, Johnathan "Jack" Swoik and Nicholas Conner. (Composite photo/Office of Priestly Vocations)
Three seminarians of the Diocese of Peoria will move one step closer to the priesthood when they are ordained as transitional deacons on Saturday, May 20, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.
The Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. by Bishop Louis Tylka. The public is invited, but seating is expected to be limited. The liturgy will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Peoria’s channel on YouTube.
The seminarians have completed their third year of theology studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Sometimes the promises we will make at ordination seem a bit daunting, but we find much peace in the thought that these promises will simply make public the resolutions we have already made to the Lord in private.”
His vesting priest will be Father Timothy Hepner, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Monmouth, and St. Patrick Parish in Raritan, and chaplain for St. Augustine Newman Center at Monmouth College.
Jacob Martini, 26, of St. Patrick Parish in Ottawa is the son of Tom and Sherrie Martini and like Conner has an older brother and a younger sister. Prior to seminary, Martini earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Bradley University.
His vesting priest will be Father Jacob Ramos from the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut.
Jonathan “Jack” Swoik, 25, of St. Joseph Parish in Pekin is the son of Terry Swoik and mother Susan Graden, and has two older sisters. Before entering seminary, Swoik was working at a local furniture store and attending Illinois Central College.
Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, diocesan vocation director of recruitment, will be his vesting priest.
Conner offered these words that Swoik and Martini agreed could be said on behalf of all three of them: “We have been edified this year by the prayerful support of so many people in our diocese. Sometimes the promises we will make at ordination seem a bit daunting, but we find much peace in the thought that these promises will simply make public the resolutions we have already made to the Lord in private.”
A joint celebration with family and close friends is planned in Peoria.
