Here’s more good news!

Two new priests ordained for Springfield diocese

By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
      Managing Editor

There was a joyful atmosphere on the morning of May 24 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as Bishop Thomas John Paprocki ordained Father Charles “Charlie” Delano and Father Ryan Kehoe to the priesthood for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

The Cathedral was filled with dozens of priests, a good number of deacons, and pews crowded  with  family members and friends who were on hand to give thanks to God as the men took their vows to the priesthood, were ordained, and shared their common joy that day.

Among those participating in the celebration was Father Brian Alford, Vicar for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, and rector of Cathedral Parish. “It is an exciting time for these two men to be entering into priestly ministry for our diocese,” he said. “With the recent trend of more people, especially younger people, exploring the Catholic faith, there will be many opportunities to share the gift of our faith with others.

“I also think with the election of the Church’s first pope from North America, there is great hope that there will be a resurgence in the Catholic Church in our country and in our diocese,” Father Alford said. “I know that both these men are excited about jumping in and offering themselves generously to their parishes and our diocese. Those who have the privilege to receive their gift to the priesthood will be blessed indeed!”

Father Delano, 29, says although he thought of becoming a priest both in grade school and high school, it wasn’t until college that he seriously considered his vocation. “It was while I was in college at the Newman Center, while I was at adoration, that I felt God pulling at my heart,” he said. While he was in seminary, if any doubts arose, Father Delano says he could “always go back to any church, any tabernacle, and feel God reminding me that I needed to continue.”

Father Delano shared what he is most happy for, now that’s he is ordained. “I think that every seminarian is most excited to celebrate Mass and minister to the people and I’m no exception,” he said. “I feel blessed by God for all He has given me and excited to begin my priestly ministry.”

Father Kehoe, who is also 29, said he too felt a calling to the priesthood when he was at adoration. “There was a succinct moment. I was about 20 or 21 years old, and I was at adoration at Blessed Sacrament in Springfield, and at that moment, grace just broke in and I could see myself being a priest, and could think about saying Mass and hearing confessions,” he said. “In seminary, the Lord just impacted me more and expanded on that vocation.”

Father Kehoe is looking forward to many aspects of the priesthood and serving in a parish and school. “I truly hope that my vocation as a priest can help others to realize something of God’s tremendous love for them, and the adventure of following Christ Jesus as a disciple,” he said.

In his homily, Bishop Paprocki said he believes being a part of a strong parish is also important to people accepting a religious vocation. “I note that both of our ordinandi this year were born and raised in our diocese here in Central Illinois, and so I commend their home parishes for helping to foster their vocations to the priesthood,” he said.  “I pray that all of our parishes will be places that provide a conducive spiritual atmosphere for young people to discern a vocation to priesthood or religious life.”

After a busy June, beginning on July 1 Father Delano will be parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish and chaplain for St. Teresa High School, both in Decatur. He has served in both places as a deacon and says he is happy to continue there.

Providentially, Father Ryan will be serving at the same parish where he first felt called to the priesthood. He is looking forward to being a parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield, beginning July 1.