Bishop Ordains Pfister, Pratt As Deacons

Bishop Charles C. Thompson ordained Diocese of Evansville seminarians John Pfister and Jerry Pratt Jr. to the Sacred Order of Deacon at an April 9 Mass celebrated at St. Benedict Cathedral. Pfister is a native of Holy Cross Parish in Fort Branch, and Pratt is a native of Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville.

Joined by their families and friends, and scores of Catholics from across the diocese, the new deacons listened as the bishop stressed the missionary service they are called to provide.

“The scripture readings selected for your ordination Mass reflect the very principles of missionary outreach to the margins in ministry and service,” Bishop Thompson said. “As St. Peter confirms in the first reading (Acts 10: 34a, 37-43), you are being anointed with the Holy Spirit to bear witness to all that Jesus Christ has done for us. …As noted in the Gospel of John (John 15: 9-17), ultimate joy is to be realized in sacrificial love by laying down one’s life – one’s own particular wants and desires – for the needs of others.”

More than two dozen priests of the Diocese of Evansville concelebrated the ordination Mass with Bishop Thompson, and Deacons Tyler Tenbarge and Ambrose Wanyonyi assisted. They will be ordained to the priesthood in June. During that ordination Mass, Homero Rodriguez also will be ordained to the Holy Order of Deacon.

Bishop Thompson noted that the diocese can now boast of four transitional deacons, with a fifth soon to be ordained – with their priestly ordinations all set to occur over the next 14 months.

“John and Jerry, you have learned much from those who have been entrusted with your formation and education,” Bishop Thompson said. “It all began with your respective families, especially your parents. The parishes and schools in which you attended have left their mark on you as well. More proximate to this moment, we take note of our indebtedness to St. Meinrad Seminary and the perishing – including priests, deacons, religious, staff and parishioners – in which you have gained ministerial experience.”

The bishop noted that the disciplines of prayer, obedience and celibacy are intended to enable the two new deacons “to grow in the spirit of witness and mercy.

“They are not obstacles, hurdles or distractions that are somehow detached from what it means to be an ordained minister of the Catholic Church,” he said. “Ultimately, you must surrender yourselves to Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church, in order to serve as authentic and effective ministers for the sake of those entrusted to your pastoral care.”

Following their ordination, Deacons Pfister and Pratt donned vestment and were welcomed by the fellow deacons, dozens of whom attended the Mass.

“Remember especially that diaconal service, like that of priestly ministry, is not so much about the minister as it is about the will of God and the mission of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Thompson said. “May your witness as deacons be rooted in the joy of the Gospel.”

St. Benedict Cathedral Parish hosted a reception for the new deacons immediately following the Mass.