Ordinations slated to happen this month, but changes made
Multiple Masses to be held because of COVID-19 pandemic
DUBUQUE — This year, the way priests and transitional deacons will be ordained has been changed due to the effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Instead of the tradition of two large gatherings at Masses for each group, there will be a series of Masses with a small number of participants. Archbishop Michael Jackels will preside over the Sacrament of Holy Orders for each individual candidate, rather than the groups as a whole.
The liturgies will have very limited attendance to comply with gathering restrictions public health officials have put in place because of the pandemic. The events will be livestreamed online. There are three men entering the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Dubuque and four becoming transitional deacons. The four deacons will undergo one more year of formation before becoming priests.
All ordinations will take place at the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque. The schedule is as follows:
• Deacon Sean Smith will be ordained to the priesthood at 10 a.m. May 9.
• Jake Dunne will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at 7 p.m. May 19.
• Kyle Tietz will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at 7 p.m. May 20.
• Eric Zenisek will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at 7 p.m. May 21.
• Martin Coolidge will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at 7 p.m. May 22.
• Deacon Joseph Sevcik will be ordained to the priesthood at 10 a.m. May 23.
• Deacon Nick Radloff will be ordained to the priesthood at 2 p.m. May 23.
For more information on the ordinations or to view them live when they occur, visit dbqarch.org. The Witness will have more coverage of this year’s ordinations in the May 24 print edition and at TheWitnessOnline.org.
A scene from the priesthood ordinations of 2019 in the Cathedral of St. Raphael.
