A packed St. Joseph Church in Baraboo witnessed Scott Jablonski ordained to the diaconate on Sunday, April 14. To view more photos from the diaconate, visit St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo Facebook page here. (Contributed photo/Bryan Thompson) |
BARABOO — Scott Jablonski was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Robert C. Morlino during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church in Baraboo on Sunday, April 14. He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Madison next year.
‘Witness’ to the faith
In his homily at the Mass, Bishop Morlino spoke about the “beauty” of the Office of Deacon, and how a deacon is called to “testify” and proclaim the Gospel at the liturgy and in their daily life.
“Our new Deacon Scott is a very great witness — he loves to testify, and he’s one of the most pleasant testifiers I’ve ever met,” said Bishop Morlino. “The Lord has given him such marvelous gifts, that he’s now put at the Lord’s disposal.”
You can read more on the bishop’s message in his column here.
Journey to ordination
Deacon Jablonski, originally from Appleton, returned to Catholicism after years searching for answers and learning about different religions. He received first Communion as a youth, but says his family members did not practice the faith. He was recently interviewed by EWTN for The Journey Home series telling the story of his personal journey getting to know Christ more fully.
He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While living in Colorado after graduation, he came upon a Catholic Mass he said reminded him of his childhood. He spoke with the bishop there after Mass and began his path to Confirmation and eventual journey to the seminary.
He studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Prior to that, he studied pre-theology at Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. His home parish is the Cathedral Parish in Madison. He is currently in residence in the diocese and spending a year working at St. Joseph in Baraboo.
Earlier this month, Deacon Jablonski said he hoped those who had never seen an ordination before would come out and have a chance to experience it. A packed church greeted him as he processed into church for his ordination.