Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison ordained Deacon Brad Grobbel, Deacon David Jaramillo, and Deacon Ryan Ruhle as transitional deacons on May 10 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.
With standing-room only, the Mass was attended by many, including notably: The Sisters of Mary Morning Star, the Knights of Columbus, the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, and a number of Consecrated Virgins of the diocese, along with many diocesan parishioners and friends and family of the three newly ordained deacons.
Concelebrants included Fr. Luke Strand, rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wis.; Fr. Ziggy Morawiec, vice rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Divinity in Hales Corners, Wis.; and members of the Presbyterate of the Diocese of Madison.
‘One perfect deacon’
Bishop Hying gave a brief yet powerful homily.
In particular, Bishop Hying reflected on the three men who had undergone many years of study and formation to arrive at this point.
The bishop, speaking more generally to those in attendance, began with, “We who know them are confident of their love for Jesus. . . These are good and holy men.”
He then began to speak more directly to the three.
To Deacon Grobbel, he said, “Brad, your parish experience in evangelization and youth ministry will serve you well as you go into the Lord’s vineyard. You have an evangelical heart for the sharing of the Word, that Word who is Jesus crucified.”
To Deacon Jaramillo, he said, “David, you have a deep compassion for the poor and suffering. Whether that pain is a material one or a spiritual need, your love for others will carry the fire in casting the light of the Gospel to the dark corners of the human heart.”
To Deacon Ruhle, he said, “Ryan, with deep love and reverence for the Liturgy, you stand out as an inspiration for all of us. Your desire to serve at the altar of the Lord, both as a deacon and ultimately as a priest, renews all of us in this time of Eucharistic revival.”
Bishop Hying, remarked that “in pondering all your gifts and mystery of your vocations, I came to realize in writing this homily that the three of you epitomize the three principal tasks of the deacon: Proclaiming the Word of God, caring for the poor and suffering, and assisting the mission of priests at the altar.”
He added, to many laughs, that “We’re not insinuating that if someone created you as a composite, you’d make one perfect deacon.
“[Rather], you all together exemplify the identity and mission of the original deacon in the Acts of the Apostles.”
Bishop Hying also thanked their parents when he said, “The six of you, parents of these young men, you have given them life, you have borne them in the Faith, and tonight you offer them to the Church.”
At the close of his homily, the bishop returned his focus to the three and said, “You’re surrounded tonight by our love and prayer, by our gratitude and our affection, but even more significantly, you’re surrounded tonight by the grace of the Lord, as He calls you to Himself to make a gift of your life for others in service of His Holy Church.
“I can’t think of anything more exciting and more wondrous. So, for all the good that He will do with many long decades of service, we give thanks and praise.”
Notable moments
The Mass was filled with many beautiful and important moments.
One example is when Deacon Anthony Kersting chanted the Gospel.
Deacon Kersting is to be ordained a priest of the diocese next month at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison, along with Deacon David Drefcinski. Last year, the two were ordained transitional deacons by Bishop Hying.
Another moment was when Deacons Grobbel, Jaramillo, and Ruhle fully prostrated themselves, as the Litany of Supplication was led by Fr. Enan Zelinski, parochial vicar of St. Maximillian Kolbe Pastorate, and seminarian Mark Wagner.
Immediately following the litany, the Laying on of Hands took place, where Bishop Hying placed his hands on each of their heads and prayed over the three.
Then, each were vested in the stole and dalmatic of deacons.
Msgr. Duane Moellenberndt, pastor emeritus, vested Deacon Grobbel; Fr. Mark Miller, parochial vicar of St. Joseph the Worker Pastorate, vested Deacon Jaramillo; and Msgr. Kevin Holmes, parochial administrator of Divine Mercy Pastorate, vested Deacon Ruhle.
After vestment, the three returned to Bishop Hying, where they were presented the Book of the Gospels, completing their ordination as deacons of the Church.
As newly ordained deacons, they were welcomed into the order by the other deacons present at the liturgy. It was moving to see the three welcomed by their brothers, who had been in their place before and were overjoyed to see more brothers take this step in their formation.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist was next, and each newly ordained deacon played a role in the celebration.
Deacon Ruhle’s family brought up the gifts.
While Deacon Jaramillo incensed the priests, deacons, and congregation, Deacons Grobbel and Ruhle assisted Bishop Hying at the altar.
Each newly ordained deacon served as a minister of Holy Communion, where they distributed the Eucharist with piety and humility.
Together, they were welcomed into the Order of Deacons by family and friends, their fellow deacons, priests of the diocese, and lay faithful.
Their ordination to the diaconate marked a holy day in their life and the life of the diocese.
The day was also a testament to the willingness of young men to say, “Yes,” to the Lord and lay down their lives for His Church.
God-willing, the three will be ordained to the priesthood next year, along with Deacon William Kearley.