By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

Three men familiar to the Christ by the Sea Collaborative of St. Mary’s Parish of Hull and St. Anthony of Padua Parish of Cohasset were ordained as Transitional Deacons for the Archdiocese of Boston on Saturday May 13 – Matthew Harrington, who is currently assigned to the collaborative, as well as Christopher Letizia and Hung Tran, who have previously served at the parishes during their formation.

In the summer of 2022, Harrington began his two-year placement at Christ by the Sea Collaborative; as an ordained deacon, he will be with the collaborative again this summer. During the 2023-24 academic year, Harrington will be with the collaborative on the weekends for more pastoral formation, especially around preaching and celebration of sacraments appropriate to a deacon.

The evening before the trip to Boston to attend the ordination at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Mother Church of the Archdiocese, parishioners prayed a Holy Hour for all 12 of the seminarians who were to be ordained. Deacon Paul Rooney, who led the group in prayer with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, asked that the “Holy Spirit guide them (seminarians) in their ministry as Deacons.”

Pastor Father Scott Euvrard, Parochial Vicar William P. Sexton, and Rooney were “happy to be celebrating this milestone” in the life of the seminarians with 11 parishioners who were “excited” and “honored” to be attending the ordination of the men to the transitional diaconate.

On the bus to Boston, Father Scott said a prayer which culminated with “Let the 12 ordinations be an inspiration, as they come to serve the church in word and deed.”

“The deacon is configured to Christ the Servant; not to be served, but to serve…Deacon means servant in Greek,” Father Will said.

“The trip is in line with the priorities of the collaborative to create a culture of vocations and an awareness of religious life,” said Tina DelGuidice, who organized the trip. “The ordination ceremony reminds me of the higher calling of the clergy… priests and deacons make a higher promise to set aside a worldly life to minister to the flock; their promises look beyond self.”

Dan Sullivan, parishioner and member of the collaborative men’s group, said he was there “showing support for the deacons he knows who served our parish, especially Matthew, who has been a wonderful facilitator and discussion leader at men’s group.”

“I love going into the cathedral… I am honored to know and celebrate these fellows; a lot of churches do not have the privilege of having seminarians spend time with them,” said St. Mary’s parishioner Maureen Kane.

The Rite of Ordination of Deacons as stated in the Roman Pontifical, says the newly ordained deacons “will draw new strength from the gift of the Holy Spirit. They will help the bishop and his body of priests as ministers of the word, of the altar, and of charity. They will make themselves servants to all. As ministers of the altar they will proclaim the Gospel, prepare the sacrifice, and give the Lord’s body and blood to the community of believers.”

“Deacons are our good Samaritans,” said Archbishop Sean Patrick O’Malley, principal celebrant and homilist. “They are our spiritual first responders…to build bridges of reconciliation…the glory of this particular office lies in the servanthood quality Jesus modeled to the community.”

As part of the ceremony, the men made “public promises” to deepen their life of prayer.

“As deacons, an important part of the mission is to pray for the church, the whole world, and countless situations people bring to you,” O’Malley said.

After all the diaconal candidates have made the promise of obedience, the bishop invites the people to pray that the “Father will mercifully pour out his blessings on these servants whom, in his kindness, he raises to the sacred order of the diaconate.” At this highly dramatic moment in the ordination, all the diaconal candidates lie prostrate before the altar as a sign of their “humble submission” to God’s will while the assembly kneels in prayer for them.

“The moment that stood out most to me is during the litany of the saints as you are lying there on the ground prostrate and the whole church is praying for you. It is highly moving,” said Harrington. “None of it is our own work; it is all God’s work.”

Harrington, who began serving his home parish in the second grade as an altar server, said he is “looking forward to spending more time with the people in Hull and Cohasset, ministering to their needs.”

Harrington’s mother, Karen, said she and her husband Frank are “both pleased and blessed that in today’s society Matthew was able to answer this call…God did this; as his parents we just supported him.” 

“Matthew has always been strong in his faith journey…very active in the parish from a young age. When he gets involved he dives in,” his father added.

Proving his father’s point, as soon as Harrington was ordained deacon, he dove right in and served as deacon at the altar during the ordination Mass.

“It was an exceptional ceremony. Amazing to see three people we know be a part of that, especially Matthew who was at the center of everything… Matthew has a talent for being master of ceremonies, he is going to make an excellent priest,” said parishioner Rob Mortel.

Seminarian Aaron Yohe, who began serving at the collaborative with Harington last year, just completed his pastoral year with St. Anthony of Padua Parish and Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish. Yohe’s last day at the collaborative was Sunday, May 14, and he will be missed.

Yohe is awaiting his next pastoral assignment, which will culminate with his ordination as a transitional deacon in 2024.

“I am going to miss Aaron; he was involved in so many things…he even participated in knitting club,” said Kane. “God willing, I will attend his diaconate ordination next year.”

“The entire service is magnificent, the procession, the music, the whole environment, it is all very moving…it reinforces the important role clergy plays in our lives. I am honored and privileged to support these men on their journey. Each of them will always be connected to our collaborative which I am happy and blessed to be a part of,” said Anne Finley, parish small group leader.

Harrington will offer his first homily at all Masses at St. Anthony of Padua Parish and St. Mary Parish Saturday the weekend of June 16-17.

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