On Saturday, June 1, Bishop Jaime Soto will ordain Dean J. Marshall, Manuel A. Rodriguez and Stephen Joseph W. Wood to the priesthood during a Mass beginning at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento. All three men grew up in parishes in the Diocese of Sacramento. The public is invited to attend the Mass.
During the Mass, Bishop Soto will also ordain Ryan P. Maher to the diaconate.
Deacon Marshall converted to Catholicism in 2005 and became a member of St. Mel Parish in Fair Oaks. He studied for the priesthood at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon. He spent his pastoral year at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Carmichael.
Deacon Rodriguez grew up as a member of St. Basil Parish in Vallejo. He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick's Seminary and University in Menlo Park, Calif. He spent his pastoral year at St. Theresa Parish in South Lake Tahoe.
Deacon Wood grew up as a member of St. Joseph Parish in Auburn. He studied for the priesthood at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon. He spent his pastoral year at St. Isidore Parish in Yuba City.
During the ritual, the three new priests will lay prostrate before the altar of the cathedral. Among the rites: Each new priest will receive his vestments and be assisted by those who have been important to them on their journey; and each of the priests of the diocese who are present will bless the new priests. Well-wishers will gather on the steps of the cathedral following the Mass and in the lower level of the cathedral afterward to line up to receive blessings from the new priests. A reception will follow the Mass in Mercy Memorial Hall on the lower level.
In photo above, left to right: Deacon Stephen Wood, Deacon Dean Marshall and Deacon Manuel Rodriguez. Photos by Cathy Joyce