The three men, all came to their vocations after full lives that included marriages, child-rearing, grand parenting and diverse careers in law, education, military service, manufacturing, law enforcement and sales. Ranging in ages from 62 to 72, they come from New York, Michigan and Wisconsin. Their ordinations drew families, friends and former business associates from all over the country giving the formal ceremony a special poignancy and celebratory joy.
Two of Byrne's adult children were readers during the ceremony and his nephew, a deacon from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Ga., was a server.
During the ordination ceremony, the candidate is called forward and presented toÊthe bishop. After testimony that the candidate is worthy, the bishop elects him for ordination. The assembly demonstrates its approval through applause. The elect make promises to undertake the responsibilities the church charges them with and those being ordained to the priesthood also promise obediance.
As part of the ceremony, the elect lie prostrate on the floor before the bishop and the congregation, to indicate their humble submission. The assembly petitions for the elect by chanting the Litany of the Saints. The sacrament of holy orders is conferred when the bishop lays his hands on the head of the candidate. As part of the ordination of the priests, the bishop annoints their hands with sacred chrism to signify that the priest, like Christ, the annointed one, is called upon to make sacrifices to God and to sanctify the people.
Fliss added to the mood of the service as he counseled the men to take up their "sacred duties," follow the example of the Good Shepherd and be servants reminding them that that their new jobs will be demanding. But then lightheartedly added: "Although we don't expect prophecies from them today."
As for the future, Byrne and Hardy will quietly say their first Masses and then be assigned to diocesan parishes; the locations will be announced in the near future. Levra will continue to intern as a chaplain at St. Mary Medical Center in Duluth, Minn., this summer and will return to seminary work in the fall.
Fliss has ordained 25 men to the priesthood during his 27 years in the Diocese of Superior. Of this number, two have passed away and two have left the priesthood. Fliss' first ordinand was Fr. James Brinkman on Aug. 9, 1981. At the time Fliss was coadjutor to Bishop George Hammes.
The ordination took place at Brinkman's home parish of Immaculate Conception in New Richmond. Brinkman is now 60 years old and after many assignments throughout the diocese, has returned to pastor Immaculate Conception along with St. Patrick Parish in Erin.
Since the completion of restoration of the cathedral in 2005, it has been decided that all ordinations to the priesthood will take place in Superior. During Fliss' tenure, up to now, it has been the custom of the diocese to ordain men in their individual home parishes.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2006
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