Just prior to their ordination, Deacons Alex McCullough, Daniel McGrath, and Jayke White stand before Bishop Thomas John Paprocki at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Photo by Debbie BenzReady to serve
Three seminarians ordained to transitional diaconate
By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing Editor

On May 26, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki ordained three seminarians to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The ordinations of Deacon Alex McCullough, Deacon Daniel McGrath, and Deacon Jayke White took place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. 

During the ordination Mass the three men made promises to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, to be obedient to the bishop and his successors, and took a vow of celibacy. Then Bishop Paprocki laid hands on them and invoked the Holy Spirit with the Prayer of Ordination. The deacons were clothed with the stole and dalmatic and received the Book of the Gospels. 

During his homily and just prior to their ordination, Bishop Paprocki introduced the three seminarians to those present at the Cathedral, giving a little bit of information about each young man. He also spoke about the how the daily readings from the Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours between the Solemnity of the Ascension and

Pentecost Sunday addressed different aspects of the Holy Spirit. 

 “Most of the time the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives is invisible and not readily apparent to us. Sometimes it is only in retrospect that we can discern the movement of the Holy Spirit. I am sure as you look back at your vocational discernment you can see at least traces of how the Holy Spirit has worked in your call to Sacred Orders,” he said. 

“ … Alex, Daniel, and Jayke: As we celebrate your ordination to the diaconate this evening, we pray that the grace of the Holy Spirit will have marvelous effects in your lives, blessing you with the unique charisms you will need in your ministry, changing you as needed to be courageous disciples, and filling you with the joy that only the Lord can give,” Bishop Paprocki said.

After their ordination, the three new transitional deacons pose with their bishop.  From left to right are Deacon Alex McCullough, Deacon Jayke White, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, and Deacon Daniel McGrath. Photo by Debbie BenzNow that they are ordained, all three men will spend a good part of the summer months assigned to parishes in different areas of the diocese. They were notified of those assignments before the ordination. 

“I will be assigned this summer to Holy Family Parish in Decatur, where Father Mark Tracy is the pastor,” said Deacon McCullough. “I lived in Decatur for two years and am excited to have the chance to be back in the area. This summer assignment is also part of St. Meinrad’s formation program where I am given the opportunity to get to preach at Mass several times over the summer, as well as get involved in ministries such as making visits to the sick and homebound.” 

Deacon McGrath will be living at Mother of Dolors Parish in Vandalia for the summer. “It will be special for me as the first parish I will preach to on a regular basis, serve at Mass as a deacon, visit the homebound, and serve the people there as needed,” Deacon McGrath said. “I look forward to serving and learning from Father Seth (Brown) and the people of Vandalia and Ramsey about what it means to be a deacon in the Church. My prayers are with them as I prepare for this assignment.” 

Deacon White says he too, is looking forward to his summer assignment. “I’ll be serving for roughly 10 weeks this summer at St. Peter Church in Quincy, under the tutelage of Msgr. Leo Enlow,” he said. “I served at this parish in 2016 as a Totus Tuus team member, and I’m so excited for the chance to return! I’m also looking forward to working with my friend and mentor, Father Zach Samples, who has been an enormous support during my time in seminary.” 

To be a deacon is to serve — and as deacons, the three men can now assist at Mass, proclaim the Gospel and give homilies, baptize and witness marriages, and preside at wake and graveside services.