Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, June 07, 2002 Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests Cathedral assembly responds warmly to men stepping forward in a time of crisis, confusion By Lou Jacquet In a historic moment in which America’s priests are in the news almost daily but for unfortunate reasons, the two newest diocesan priests were reminded on their ordination day that their ministry can do either great good for, or great harm to, God’s people. Kevin L. McCaffrey and Robert M. Miller heard that message from Bishop Thomas J. Tobin during his homily preceding their ordination May 25 in St. Columba Cathedral. As the first class of men to become priests in a time of unprecedented scrutiny of the Catholic Church in the wake of sexual abuse scandals involving priests in various dioceses, McCaffrey and Miller were reminded that they were being entrusted with a sacred ministry. “Always remember that as a priest you hold a very privileged position in the Church,” Bishop Tobin told them. “If in any way you abuse that gift, you can do great harm to God’s people. But if you treasure the gift and use it well, you can become an instrument of salvation for countless souls. I think you will both be great priests and do wonderful things for the Lord. That is certainly our hope and our prayer this day.” Their ordination came after a warm round of applause from those present when the candidates were called forth by Deacon G. David Weikart, who will be ordained a priest in 2003. Msgr. John Zuraw, executive director of the diocesan office of Clergy and Religious Services, attested to their worthiness. Bishop Tobin declared the men as chosen for priesthood, and the assembly then responded with what seemed a particularly lengthy and strong round of affirmation in the wake of the present national news. In his homily, Bishop Tobin spoke of how the readings (Jeremiah 1:4-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-4) outlined “some of the basic elements of ministerial priesthood to which you are called and ordained to this day.” Jeremiah had spoken of how “before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,” which the bishop said was “a very clear reminder that your call, your vocation, is initiated by God himself; that your being here now, this morning in the cathedral, is part of God’s eternal plan.” Peter encouraged the elders with a charge to “tend the flock in your midst,” a reminder that “the people you are sent to serve are God’s people, the people of Christ,” the bishop added. “He loves them very deeply to the extent of dying for them. They are precious to him. Tend the flock of God in your midst with great care and fidelity and love.” Finally, the Gospel from St. John is likewise a reminder that “the foundation of your ministry is your personal friendship with the Lord Jesus,” the bishop said. [“It is] a friendship that must be manifested in your constant growth in the spiritual life and the profound spiritual life that will be yours, drawing you ever closer to the Lord Jesus, who calls you his friend.” The ordination of the two men was “a special day for you and for us,” Bishop Tobin said. “We are happy for you, we are immensely proud of you, and we are deeply grateful to you for your willingness to hear God’s word and respond generously in your life.” Present for the ceremonies were Bishop Benedict C. Franzetta and numerous diocesan priests, all of whom laid hands on the two men following their promise of obedience to Bishop Tobin and to his successors. Bishop Tobin had begun the process by laying hands on the two men first in the ancient symbol of ordination. Following the prayer of consecration, the new priests were vested with chasuble and stole, and their hands were anointed to symbolize that a priest, like Christ, is anointed to bless, consecrate and sanctify. The men were then presented with the paten of bread and a chalice of wine. All priests present then greeted the men with the sign of peace. Following Communion, Father McCaffrey and Father Miller gave their blessing to Bishop Tobin and the assembly. The gathering concluded with a reception in St. Columba Hall, hosted by the Serra Club.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001