In his new encyclical Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis gives the Church a beautiful reflection on the tender love of Christ. Taken from St. Paul’s line “He has loved us” (Romans 8:37), the Holy Father prescribes the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a worldwide remedy for our times. 

Although I would recommend reading the whole document — again, it is beautiful to read — here are a few key themes: 

• More reflective: Pope Francis’ teaching is deeply reflective. Using Scripture, history and the writing of the saints, he shows how the Church has always had a devotion to the wounded side of Christ, who in his mercy gave forth blood and water for our salvation (John 19:31-37). This prepared the Church for the devotion of the Sacred Heart.

• First to Jesus, then to the Father: The Holy Father stresses how the Sacred Heart draws us unto Jesus and then to the Father. The Sacred Heart is a “synthesis of the Gospel” message — in Jesus, God has come to save us by becoming one of us: “(God) chose to love each of us with a human heart…in gazing upon the Lord’s heart, we contemplate a physical reality, his human flesh” which then leads us to his divinity: “the Church has chosen the image of the heart to represent the human and divine love of Jesus Christ and the inmost core of his Person.” By drawing us to his merciful heart, the pope teaches, Jesus “wants to bring us to the Father…Jesus’ life among us was a journey of response to the constant call of his human heart to come to the Father.”

• The problem of heartlessness: The pope identifies heartlessness as the core issue of our time. Although humanity has always contended with sin, the modern world’s consumerism, skepticism and overindulgence in technology means “no room is left for the heart.” As such, humanity loses its identity: “We also lose track of history and our own past, since our real personal history is built with the heart.”

What, then, should a Christian do? Pope Francis identifies two ways for us to counteract the problem of heartlessness: “personal spiritual experience and communal missionary commitment.” 

• Our own story with Jesus: Quoting St. Justin Martyr, the Holy Father says we must all remember that “we have come forth from the heart of Christ.” Jesus makes us a new creation in him, so we must turn to him in our own daily needs. We cannot do anything without Jesus! “Let us not forget that our hearts are not self-sufficient, but frail and wounded.” 

The pope continues that the Sacred Heart “invites us to grow in our encounter with Christ, putting our trust in his love.” Once we grow in this way, we can then — heart to Heart — console Jesus over the world’s indifference to him by making reparation, like prayer and small sacrifices. The Sacred Heart also purifies our hearts through a deeper compunction, or “a beneficial piercing,” which makes us feel how our sins hurt him.

• Bringing Jesus to others: In his hallmark style, Pope Francis concludes the encyclical by emphasizing that we must bring the Lord Jesus to others. This starts by asking for forgiveness from those we have hurt and by seeking to mend wounded relationships. This makes us able to “grow in fraternity and solidarity” with others who need healing or who may be far from Jesus.

By turning to the Sacred Heart, we bring the “flames of the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” to a world that has grown cold toward God’s love and to those who are forgotten: “the poor, the despised and the abandoned members of society.”

What are some ways that you can deepen your devotion to the Sacred Heart? What are some ways that God is calling you to bring his love to those in need?

Father Stephen Hart is pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton and St. Elizabeth Church in Oppelo.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announces the following pastoral appointments.

Effective Feb. 27

Rev. John C. Wakube excardinated from the Apostles of Jesus and incardinated into the Diocese of Little Rock. He remains pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock.

Effective June 12

Rev. George Sanders appointed pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs. He remains chaplain of St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Mary of the Springs Church in Hot Springs.

Rev. Ravi Rayappa Gudipalli appointed pastor of St. Mary of the Springs Church in Hot Springs, with residence at Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs.

Rev. Clayton Gould relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Stuttgart to become senior priest.

Rev. Shaun Wesley appointed to Spanish-language ministry at St. James Church in Searcy. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Rosa of Lima Church in Carlisle and Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Slovak. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in England.

Rev. Andrew Hart, JCL, appointed pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Stuttgart and Holy Trinity Church in England. This is in addition to his service in the tribunal of the Diocese of Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville and as sacramental minister of Blessed Stanley Rother Church in Decatur and St. Mary Church in Siloam Springs.

Rev. Jason Sharbaugh appointed from associate pastor to pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as sacramental minister of Blessed Stanley Rother Church in Decatur and St. Mary Church in Siloam Springs.

Rev. Alfhones Perikala appointed from associate pastor to administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville, associate pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville and to assist with the liturgical schedule at Blessed Stanley Rother Church in Decatur and St. Mary Church in Siloam Springs. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln.

Rev. Jason Tyler, STL, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville. He remains pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln.

Rev. Jules Norbert Njopmo relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville. He remains associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln.

Rev. Patrick Watikha, AJ, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Charleston to continue his ministry with the Apostles of Jesus outside of Arkansas.

Rev. Norman McFall appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Charleston. He remains chaplain of Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Fort Smith.

Rev. J. Lucas Womack appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Bay and St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Clinton and to Spanish-language ministry at St. Albert Church in Heber Springs.

Rev. Toshio Sato, CM, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Anne Church in North Little Rock, Spanish-language ministry at St. Mary of the Springs Church in Hot Springs and as spiritual advisor for Misioneros Vicentinos to continue his ministry with the Congregation of the Mission outside of Arkansas.

Rev. Luis Ariel Ramírez, CM, relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Anne Church in North Little Rock, Spanish-language ministry at St. Mary of the Springs Church in Hot Springs and as spiritual advisor for Misioneros Vicentinos to continue his ministry with the Congregation of the Mission outside of Arkansas.

Rev. Alejandro Puello appointed pastor of St. Anne Church in North Little Rock and spiritual advisor for Misioneros Vicentinos. He will reside at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Booneville and St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Waldron.

Rev. Rajasekhar Chittem appointed administrator of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Booneville and St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Waldron. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale and St. Joseph Church in Tontitown.

Deacon Jonathan Miskin, to be ordained to the priesthood May 25, appointed associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale and St. Joseph Church in Tontitown.

Rev. Nelson Rubio appointed associate pastor of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marché) and St. Mary Church in North Little Rock.

Rev. Joseph L. de Orbegozo appointed associate pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marché) and St. Mary Church in North Little Rock. He remains part-time teacher at the House of Formation in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock.

Rev. Andrew Smith relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Jacksonville to become senior priest.

Rev. Martin J. Siebold appointed administrator of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Jacksonville. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as spiritual director of the English and Spanish Cursillo in the Diocese of Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers.

Rev. Michael L. Johns appointed associate pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs.

Rev. Keith Higginbotham appointed associate pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs and to help with Misioneros Vicentinos. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Edward Church in Little Rock and as chaplain of Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock.

Rev. Leon Ngandu, SVD, appointed chaplain of Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Augustine Church in North Little Rock and St. Bartholomew Church in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as part-time chaplain of St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock.

Rev. Michael Sinkler relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Norbert Church in Marked Tree. He remains pastor of St. Anthony Church in Weiner and chaplain of Holy Angels Convent and St. Bernard Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Rev. Francis Madanu appointed administrator of Blessed John Newman University Parish in Jonesboro and St. Norbert Church in Marked Tree. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro.

Rev. Alphonse Gollapalli relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Blessed John Newman University Parish in Jonesboro. He remains pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro.

Rev. Stephen Mallanga, AJ, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Mary Church in Paragould and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Walnut Ridge to continue his ministry with the Apostles of Jesus outside of Arkansas.

Rev. Mariadass Vallapaneni appointed pastor of St. Mary Church in Paragould and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Walnut Ridge. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Pocahontas, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Corning and St. John the Baptist Church in Engelberg.

Rev. Stephen J. Elser, Phl, appointed administrator of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Pocahontas, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Corning and St. John the Baptist Church in Engelberg. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and as chaplain of Trinity Junior High School in Fort Smith.

Deacon Martín Amaro, to be ordained to the priesthood May 11, appointed associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and chaplain of Trinity Junior High in Fort Smith as soon as he becomes available.

Rev. Ramsés Mendieta appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Barbara Church in De Queen and St. Juan Diego Church in Wickes.

Rev. William W. Burmester appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Louis Church in Camden and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Magnolia.

Rev. Stephen W. Hart appointed from administrator to pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Holy Cross Church in Crossett and Holy Spirit Church in Hamburg.

Bishop Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments:

• Effective July 16

Msgr. Jack D. Harris appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Holy Cross Church in Crossett and Holy Spirit Church in Hamburg.

Rev. Robert Cigainero appointed associate pastor of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton.

• Effective July 24

Rev. Stephen Hart appointed administrator of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Holy Cross Church in Crossett and Holy Spirit Church in Hamburg. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments

Effective May 31

• Rev. Pius Ajunwa Iwu relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith, and Our Lady of the Ozarks Shrine in Winslow to become senior priest and reside at Immaculate Conception Church in Ft. Smith.

Effective June 13

• Dc. Patrick R. Friend, to be ordained to the priesthood May 26, appointed chaplain at Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, with residence in the House of Formation in Little Rock.
• Dc. L. Tuyen Ngoc Do, to be ordained to the priesthood May 26, appointed associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock.
• Rev. J. Lucas Womack appointed administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Bay and St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Clinton.  He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock.
• Rev. Oliver Ochieze relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Bay and St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Clinton to return to his home Diocese of Orlu, Nigeria.
• Rev. Kevin Atunzu relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Stephen Church in Bentonville and administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville to become senior priest.
• Rev. Andrew Hart appointed to assist with the liturgical schedule at St. Mary Church in Siloam Springs and Blessed Stanley Rother Church in Decatur. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville and his service in the tribunal of the Diocese of Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln.
• Rev. Jason Sharbaugh appointed to assist with the liturgical schedule at St. Mary Church in Siloam Springs and Blessed Stanley Rother Church in Decatur. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as associate pastor and director of faith formation of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville.  He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln.
• Rev. Jason Tyler, STL, appointed pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln and St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville.
• Rev. Jules Norbert Njopmo appointed associate pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln, and St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville.  This is in addition to his current responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville.
• Rev. Alfhones Perikala appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville, Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln, and St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville.  He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway.
• Rev. John K. Antony, JCL, relieved of responsibilities as chaplain of Trinity Junior High in Fort Smith.  He remains pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Ft. Smith and administrator of Trinity Junior High in Fort Smith.
• Dc. Stephen J. Elser, to be ordained to the priesthood June 2, appointed associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith, and chaplain of Trinity Junior High in Fort Smith.
• Dc. Joseph L. de Orbegozo, to be ordained to the priesthood June 2, appointed part-time associate pastor of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock and part-time teacher at the House of Formation in Little Rock. He will reside at St. Theresa Church in Little Rock.
• Dc. Keith A. Higginbotham, to be ordained to the priesthood May 26, appointed part-time chaplain at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock and part-time associate pastor at St. Edward Church in Little Rock. He will reside at St. Edward Church in Little Rock.
• Rev. Juan Manjarrez relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Barbara Church in De Queen and St. Juan Diego Church in Wickes to attend summer studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He is appointed pastor of St. Edward Church in Little Rock and to serve part-time in the tribunal of the Diocese of Little Rock, effective Aug. 8.
• Rev. Ramsés A. Mendieta Lacayo appointed administrator of St. Barbara Church in De Queen and St. Juan Diego Church in Wickes.  He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale.
• Dc. Saulo Daniel Ramos Hernández, to be ordained to the priesthood on June 2, appointed associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale.
• Rev. Theophilus Okpara relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Holy Cross Church in Crossett and Holy Spirit Church in Hamburg to go on sabbatical.
• Msgr. Jack D. Harris appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Holy Cross Church in Crossett and Holy Spirit Church in Hamburg.  He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton and St. Joseph Church in Center Ridge.
• Rev. Robert Cigainero appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Louis Church in Camden and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Magnolia.
• Rev. Aby Abraham, IMS, appointed from associate pastor to pastor of St. Joseph Church in Center Ridge. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton.
• Rev. William Burmester appointed administrator of St. Louis Church in Camden and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Magnolia. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale.
• Rev. Rajasekhar Chittem appointed associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway.
• Dc. Michael L. Johns II, to be ordained to the priesthood June 2, appointed from ministering as deacon to associate pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs.
• Rev. Jonathan M. Miskin, to be ordained a transitional deacon May 23, appointed from studying at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana to serve as deacon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marche) until the end of August 2018, with Rev. Rubén Quinteros as his mentor.
• Rev. Mariadass Vallapaneni appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Pocahontas, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Corning, and St. John the Baptist Church in Engelberg.
• Rev. John Miranda appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Scranton, Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Morrison Bluff, and St. Meinrad Church in Prairie View.
• Rev. Mario Jacobo appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Boniface Church in Fort Smith.
• Rev. Juan J. Guido appointed from administrator to pastor of Christ the King Church in Ft. Smith.
• Rev. Stephen J. Gadberry appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Mary Church in Batesville, and St. Cecilia Church in Newport.
• Rev. Balaraju Desam appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Peter Church in Wynne, and St. Mary Church in McCrory.
• Rev. Chanda Pillai PJ, IMS, appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Albert Church in Heber Springs.
• Rev. Amal Raju Punganoor Lourduswamy appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Michael Church in Cherokee Village and St. Mary of the Mount Church in Horseshoe Bend.

Effective July 1

• Dc. Jeffrey P. Hebert, to be ordained to the priesthood May 26, appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway.

Effective Aug. 8

• Rev. R. Taryn Whittington appointed part-time associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, and part-time teacher at the House of Formation in Little Rock with residence at Christ the King Church in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as prefect of the House of Formation in Little Rock.
• Rev. Gregory T. Luyet, JCL, appointed prefect of the House of Formation in Little Rock with residence at the House of Formation. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as judicial vicar of the Diocese of Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Edward Church in Little Rock.
• Rev. Juan Manjarrez, appointed pastor of St. Edward Church in Little Rock and to serve part-time in the tribunal of the Diocese of Little Rock.

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Even though the clouds covered the sun above Christ the King Church in Little Rock, God’s light shined in the smiles of William Burmester, Stephen Hart, Ramsés Mendieta, Martin Siebold and Luke Womack.

Their love, devotion and spirituality permeated the sanctuary as congregants overfilled the pews to witness and feel the joy of these men on their priestly ordination May 27.

It was the year of the hometown boys and the adopted son, loved all equally by the parishes that had watched them grow from children to answering God’s call to the priesthood: Fathers Burmester, 29, a member of St. Joseph Church in Conway; Hart, 28, Christ the King, Little Rock; Mendieta, 27, Immaculate Conception Church, North Little Rock; Siebold, 28, Immaculate Heart of Mary, North Little Rock (Marche); and Womack, 32, St. Mary Church in Hot Springs.

Their faith was formed through religious education, altar serving, youth ministry and the prayers of fellow parishioners who watched and maybe even predicted, “That young man will be a priest one day.” And for Mendieta, traveling more than 2,500 miles from his native Nicaragua to follow God’s call, the parish considers him one of their own.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor called the Diocese of Little Rock a “living mosaic” of different cultures, encouraging the priests to “foster understanding, love and respect among all those whom Jesus entrusts to your care.” 

“The Church in Arkansas needs priests who lead people by example, who revere the spiritual and ministerial gifts of those whom Jesus sends us to serve. Our Church should be characterized by collegiality, not by coercion. By intelligent discourse, not edicts imposed from on high. Ideals and values, not just legal rules,” Bishop Taylor said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time your ministry will require you to be, but not compel. To inspire and not shame. To encourage the sheep, instead of rebuking them. And hopefully that rare one percent of the time when rebuking is needed, they never arise if they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you love them and revere them.”

‘Altogether new’

Since arriving as bishop for the Diocese of Little Rock in 2008, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor has ordained a total of 26 diocesan priests. This year with five men ordained ties both 2010 and 2016 for the most ordained men at once, stretching back to at least 1960. 

For Msgr. Scott Friend, vocations director of the Diocese of Little Rock, who has counseled the young men through their discernment, it was hard to hold back tears.

“It’s always beautiful to see guys grow,” he said. “It’s very powerful for me … It takes all of us as a Church to raise a priest.”

The universal Church can be a parish family, campus ministry family and even those spiritual leaders that become family. Father Hart was nurtured by his parents, Robert and Evelyn Hart, who always encouraged their sons, newly ordained Father Hart, who will be an associate pastor at St. Theresa Church in Little Rock, and Father Andrew Hart, pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville, to follow Christ’s call.

“The Holy Spirit really inspired my boys,” Evelyn Hart said, adding, “All the glory to God.”

Father Hart said following the ordination that his priesthood is “the beginning of the fulfillment of a calling and I am something altogether new now,” while still staying true to the same young man that his mentor, Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, retired pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, proclaimed could become “a potential saint.”

“He has a very pure heart, clarity of vision to what’s important, highly intelligent,” Msgr. Hebert said, who traveled from New Mexico for the ordination.

When the bishop called each man forth to make a promise to fulfill the duties of the priesthood, each man said “I do,” and for Father Mendieta, it was a moment that he had been discerning since he was a teenager and he couldn’t hold back his laughter after being called “Father” following Mass.

“I’m blessed, blessed and grateful to the one who has given me this gift, this calling,” he told Arkansas Catholic. He will be an associate pastor at St. Raphael Church in Springdale.

His mother, Sandra Lacayo, who traveled from Nicargua, said the ordination was “a big blessing,” that her son “has had a spirit of service since he was little.”

Father Mendieta’s godfather, Javier Bonilla of Orlando, said it was a precious moment to change Mendieta’s contact in his phone from “Deacon” to “Father.”

“It is by far just the fulfillment of a dream we’ve had in our family to have a priest,” he said.

Men of service

As each of the five lay prostrate during the litany of saints, congregants sang “Bless these chosen men, sanctify these chosen men.”

“I began to reflect on each one and how they played a part in my journey along the way,” said Father Siebold, who will be an associate pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers, of the saints mentioned during the litany. He contemplated Mary, remembering his time in Mexico visiting the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine, St. Joseph,  recalling his “great example of chastity” and St. Martin de Porres, his namesake. Father Siebold said there were several moments of reflection, including watching the priests on the altar. “I’m sitting there kind of reflecting on how many of the priests played a big part in my formation,” and knowing that he would be entering into the body of the priesthood, “that special group and having them call me one of their own now.”

The bishop then laid his hands on their heads in silence, as each priest then followed.

“I think when Bishop Taylor put his hand on my head was the biggest part of it,” Father Womack said, adding he felt “so many things — relief, extreme joy.”

God was asked to send forth the Holy Spirit on the men standing before the altar as a prayer of ordination was prayed, with all responding, “Amen.” The priests were clothed in liturgical vestments, the traditional stole and chasuble, by fellow priests that have impacted each of their journeys to the priesthood. Bishop Taylor anointed their hands, allowing the men to do the work of the sacraments.

The mothers of the newly ordained brought up the gifts of the Eucharist to the altar and all priests helped call forth the Holy Spirit on the gifts to become the body and blood of Christ.

“At peace,” said Father Burmester of how he felt to be ordained, adding that seeing those he loved come through the communion line who have helped him along this path was something that made it even more special. He will be an associate pastor at St. Raphael Church in Springdale.

Austin Franke, creative director of media and campus associate for Evangelical Catholic based in Wisconsin, has been a best friend of Father Burmester since the two were in Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway more than 10 years ago.

“I call him Father Gillypoo,” he said with a laugh, but added with all seriousness, “Today means that the first example I saw of a disciple of Christ is now a priest. It’s a great day.”

After Communion, the five priests shared a blessing with their families. Father Siebold hugged his parents, their heads all resting gently together.

“It was just like no one else was here,” said his mother Lisa Siebold of the blessing, with tears in her eyes. “It was real touching, sweet and heartfelt,” with his father Larry adding, “it’s a celebration that’s a gift from God.”

At the end of Mass, the parish erupted in clapping, standing proud to honor the young men who all followed God’s call, who embraced in a group hug in front of the altar.

It was a moment of understanding for Buck Womack, Father Womack’s twin brother, who said it was the most touching part of the Mass.

“You hear about it, but to really see the brotherhood” was inspiring, he said. “It’s exciting for him to finally be here.”