The Diocese of Providence has been blessed with the gift of three new priests — Fathers Derek Puleo, Joseph Upton and Adam Young, who have bravely answered God’s call to undertake a life of ministry in an era marked by secularism and anticlerism.
They join the 16 priests who have been ordained by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin in the past five years.
Much will be required of these new priests as they follow in Jesus’ footsteps to shepherd their flocks, visit the sick, comfort the grieving, love and pray for the sinner, assist those less fortunate and perform myriad other duties required of a parish priest.
“The priesthood is a gift that must received with humility,” remarked Bishop Tobin during the Ordination Mass celebrated June 26 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, emphasizing that the priesthood is “not simply an office, but a sacrament.”
The bishop told the three new clerics that their ordination comes at a very important time for the diocesan church during the Year of Evangelization.
Bishop Tobin noted that while the ordination of three new priests to join the presbyterate is a wonderful gift, it also means that the diocese has three less seminarians studying for the priesthood. The bishop encouraged those gathered to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and to encourage young men considering a life of ministry to discern God’s call to Holy Orders.
Those interested in praying for vocations can join the Serra Club of Rhode Island, a recently re-established group whose members pray for seminarians and those individuals in discernment. For more information or to join, call Father Michael Najim, diocesan vocation director, at 331-1316.
