Hundreds came to witness Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison ordain two men to the priesthood on the warm evening of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Friday, June 7, at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison.
Fr. David Drefcinski and Fr. Anthony Kersting were ordained in front of a full congregation, which included the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, Consecrated Virgins of the diocese, the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, and an honor guard from the Knights of Columbus.
Concelebrants of the Ordination Mass were Bishop Emeritus Richard Pates of Des Moines, friend of Father Drefcinski and the Drefcinski family; Fr. Luke Strand, rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wis.; Fr. Raul Gomez-Ruiz, rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Divinity in Hales Corners, Wis.; and members of the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Madison.
A wise, old Nun
In Bishop Hying’s homily, he first thanked God for calling them “to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ,” and after thanking God, the bishop thanked Father Drefcinski and Father Kersting for saying, “Yes” to that call, which he put so eloquently as, “This divine initiative that the apostles, the saints, and millions of Catholic disciples down through the ages have heard and responded to.”
“Today, in a very profound way, you are giving your lives to that precious vocation and calling,” the bishop continued, especially thanking their parents, seminary rectors, pastors, family, and friends — all those who have supported Father Drefcinski and Father Kersting in their faith and vocation.
The bishop gave a piece of advice to the new priests.
He said, “When I was ordained a priest 35 years ago, a very wise old Nun said to me, ‘Listen to every person you meet with compassion because every person who will cross your path hides a secret sorrow, and they’re looking for somebody to tell their secret sorrow to — someone who will hear it with compassion, someone who will receive it, someone who will respond with love and prayer.’”
Bishop Hying said that he has “found that to be abundantly true,” and encouraged Fathers Drefcinski and Kersting to “let the passion of Christ pierce your heart, so that the people you serve can find a place of consolation and hope precisely within your person”.
Ordination rites
After the bishop’s homily, Father Drefcinski and Father Kersting were called forward to profess priestly promises, which include obedience to Bishop Hying and his successors, to help the Order of Bishops in caring for the Church’s flock, to proclaim and teach the Church’s faith in word and deed, to celebrate the Sacraments faithfully and reverently, to pray without ceasing, to a life of celibacy, and to conform their lives to the life of Christ.
Then, Father Drefcinski and Father Kersting laid prostrate, a symbolic act of dying to themselves and rising anew in their priestly ministry, while the Litany of Supplication was chanted by Fr. Enan Zelinski.
After, Bishop Hying laid his hands on their heads, conferring upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Father Drefcinski and Father Kersting were then vested, after the numerous concelebrating priests had proceeded through the Laying On of Hands.
Father Drefcinski was vested in stole and chasuble by Fr. Jared Holzhuter, diocesan director of vocations, and Father Kersting was vested by Fr. Gregory Ihm, parochial administrator of St. Dominic Pastorate and former director of vocations.
Once the two had returned to be in front of Bishop Hying, the bishop anointed their hands with Sacred Chrism and wrapped their hands with a linen cloth, or maniturgia. This cloth is traditionally given to the parents of the newly ordained after the Mass.
A fraternal greeting between Father Drefcinski, Father Kersting, and the priests in attendance followed.
Each priest greeted the new Fathers with joy, welcoming them into their special brotherhood, completing the rites.
About the new priests
Fr. David Drefcinski is the son of Diane and Shane Drefcinski and he is a priest son of St. Mary Parish in Platteville.
Father Drefcinski will serve as a parochial vicar of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Pastorate, consisting of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Johnson Creek and Lake Mills, St. Bernard Parish in Watertown, and St. Henry Parish in Watertown.
Fr. Anthony Kersting is the son of Jack and Jennie Kersting and he is a priest son of St. Cecilia Parish in Wisconsin Dells.
Father Kersting will serve as a parochial vicar of St. Maximilian Kolbe Pastorate, consisting of Blessed Trinity Parish in Dane and Lodi, St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport, and St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee.