On Friday, May 22, God willing, four men will be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Madison.

The Ordination Mass will take place at St. Maria Goretti Church, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, at 7 p.m., where Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison is scheduled to ordain Deacons Casey Cooney, Barry Meinholz, Luis Reyes, and Mark Wagner as priests.

Deacon Casey Cooney is the son of Doreen and Michael Cooney.

He entered the seminary after being a member of Saint Paul’s Catholic Student Center in Madison.

His deacon assignment was at Stella Maris Parish — St. Patrick Church, Cottage Grove; Christ the King Church, McFarland; and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Monona.

During his vocational journey, he told the Catholic Herald, “In anticipation of my ordination, I can only give thanks to God, who has called me in the first place to be His adopted son through Baptism, and has given me the gift of a vocation to ordained ministry.”

Deacon Barry Meinholz is the son of Nancy and Marvin Meinholz.

He entered the seminary after being a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, a church that is now part of Holy Cross Parish.

His deacon assignment was at St. Teresa of Calcutta Pastorate — St. Pius X Parish, Cambridge; St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson; St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Jefferson; St. Mary Parish, Milton; St. Mary Parish, Palmyra; and St. Mary Help of Christians Parish, Sullivan.

“I am looking forward to being ordained as a priest,” said Deacon Meinholz.

“The opportunities I’ve had . . . have let me meet so many people who have helped me deepen my faith. I am looking forward to celebrating Masses, hearing Confessions, and being there for people in difficult and joyful moments, and hopefully helping them as we all strive for holiness.

“I am thankful to God for this calling and am thankful for all of my family and friends who have helped support me on this journey.”

Deacon Luis Reyes is the son of Claudia and Daniel Reyes. He entered the seminary after being a member of Cathedral Parish in Madison, its churches now part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Madison.

His deacon assignment was at Queen of Martyrs Parish — Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Beloit; St. Jude Church, Beloit;  St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Beloit; and St. Stephen Church, Clinton.

“As I approach ordination, I find myself filled with a deep sense of gratitude and anticipation,” said Deacon Reyes.

“These years of formation have been both challenging and transformative, shaping not only my understanding of theology and ministry, but also my identity as a beloved son of the Father and servant of the Church.

“The thought of preaching the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, and accompanying God’s people in their joys and struggles fills me with both excitement and a sense of humility. The priesthood of Jesus Christ truly unfolds the love of God for humanity. It is the greatest privilege I could ever receive in my life.”

Deacon Mark Wagner is the son of Karen and Jeffrey Wagner.

He entered the seminary after being a member of St. Henry Parish in Watertown, a church now part of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish.

His deacon assignment was at Epiphany of the Lord Parish — St. Mary of the Nativity Church, Marshall; Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, Sun Prairie; St. Albert the Great Church, Sun Prairie; and St. Joseph Church, Waterloo.

“Everything that has happened in my life up to this moment, in some way, has been in preparation to be ordained as a priest of Jesus Christ,” said Deacon Wagner.

“As I reflect now on my many years in seminary formation, it is clear to me that, amid all the years of formation and growth, what the Lord is preparing for me to soon receive is the most precious gift that I could ever receive. Though unworthy, I am excited to begin this ministry of service to God’s people.”

Diaconate ordination

On Friday, May 15, God willing, Michael Hess will be ordained to the transitional diaconate in the Diocese of Madison.

The Ordination Mass will take place at St. Cecilia Church, 603 Oak St.,Wisconsin Dells, at 5 p.m. and will be celebrated by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.

Hess is the son of Jan and Mike Hess.

He entered the seminary after being a member of St. Cecilia Parish in Wisconsin Dells, a church now part of St. John Paul II Pastorate.

“As I draw near to my diaconate ordination, I am humbled and increasingly filled with gratitude for this calling on my life,” said Hess.

“By no means do I step into this vocation thinking it will be an easy path. In fact, there are many ways in which I find myself lacking in the abilities or preparation needed for what is to come. Nevertheless, I do my best to trust that Jesus knows what He is doing in calling me, and I am excited for the ways in which God will supply what is necessary, using me as an instrument for His divine plan.”