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Ian
Jeremiah |
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Samuel
Kachuba |
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Sean
Kulacz |
BRIDGEPORT
- On Saturday, June 30, Bishop William E. Lori will
ordain three seminarians as transitional deacons for the Diocese
of Bridgeport: Ian Jeremiah, Samuel Kachuba, and Sean
Kulacz.
Ordination
to the transitional diaconate is the last step for these men before
ordination to the priesthood next year. The 10 a.m. Mass
will be celebrated at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport.
All are
welcome to attend.
"We're very
excited for the men who are taking this great step in their journey
towards priesthood," says Father Peter Lynch, director of vocations
for the Diocese of Bridgeport. "It's been evident from the people
each of them has worked with that the ministry of the Gospel
manifests God's love in their hearts."
Ian
Jeremiah
Ian Jeremiah,
43, was born in Malaysia. His father, Allan, is deceased; his
mother, Freda, now lives in Massapequa, NY. Although during his
teen years he had thought about a vocation to the priesthood,
he pursued a degree in accounting at National University of Malaysia.
Jeremiah came
to America and worked as an accountant at Daytop, Inc., a not-forprofit
organization in New York City, while getting an M.B.A. from Columbia
University.
Jeremiah was
living in Stamford and attending Mass at Saint Maurice Parish
when he saw a pamphlet on vocations published by the Knights of
Columbus.
He entered
the Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence in 2002, and is now completing
his studies for the priesthood at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in
Emmitsburg, MD.
Jeremiah has
held summer assignments in Saint Mary Parish in Ridgefield,
Saint Joseph Parish in Shelton, and Saint Rose of
Lima Parish in Newtown. He is serving this summer at
Saint Joseph Parish in Danbury.
"People have
such a love for God," Jeremiah says. "It's humbling to think
that I'm called to serve God and serve such wonderful people."
Jeremiah
will serve his first Mass as deacon and deliver the homily on
June 30 at 4 p.m. at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in
Newtown.
Samuel
Kachuba
Samuel Kachuba,
23, the son of Michael and Mary Ellen Kachuba, grew up in Stratford,
where three parishes can proudly claim him as their own. He was
baptized in Our Lady of Peace Parish, attended Saint James Elementary
School, and was an altar boy in his home parish of Saint Mark's,
where his parents are still parishioners.
He attended
Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, during which time he explored
a vocation to the priesthood at Youth 2000 New England and retreats
at Saint John Fisher. He entered Saint John Fisher following graduation
in 2001.
Kachuba attended
Fordham University in Bronx, NY, and is completing his seminary
studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome living
at the Pontifical North American College.
Kachuba spent
two summers in Mexico studying Spanish, and worked one summer
in Madrid, Spain, with the Missionaries of Charity. He has served
at Saint Ann Parish in Bridgeport and Saint Pius
X Parish in Fairfield. This summer, he is serving at
Saint Mary Parish in Norwalk.
"I thank God
every day for the graces He has given me and for the blessing
of this vocation," Kachuba says. "It will be a real privilege
to serve Christ and all His people. I pray that the ministry
entrusted to me will be a source of grace and inspiration for
those I will serve."
Kachuba will
serve his first Mass as deacon and deliver the homily on July
1 at Noon at Saint Mark Parish in Stratford.
Sean
Kulacz
Sean Kulacz,
27, the son of Raymond and Leona Kulacz, grew up in Pawtucket,
RI, in Saint Joseph Parish, where his parents are still members.
Kulacz attended public schools and the Community College of Rhode
Island before transferring to the Franciscan University of Steubenville
in Ohio. While he was studying in a pre-seminary program at Steubenville,
Kulacz met Father Chris Walsh, then director of vocations for
the Diocese of Bridgeport, at a vocations fair. He entered Saint
John Fisher and attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.
He is completing his theology studies at Mount Saint Mary Seminary.
Kulacz has
held summer assignments at Saint Mary Parish in Norwalk;
Saint Theresa Parish in Trumbull; and Saint Joseph
Parish in Brookfield. He is serving this summer at
Saint Stephen Parish in Trumbull.
"I'm looking
forward to ordained ministry," Kulacz says. "I'll be able to
bless people, to baptize, and to preach the Gospel."
Kulacz will
serve his first Mass as deacon and deliver the homily on June
30 at 5 p.m. at Saint Joseph Parish in Brookfield.
(For more
information about becoming a priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport,
visit www.HearTheCall.org.)
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