Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, June 21, 2002 Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia By Susan K. Virgalitte Two young men from Slovakia studying for the priesthood and preparing to serve in the Diocese of Youngstown have attained major milestones in their vocations this month. Father Peter Haladej was ordained to the priesthood in his hometown of Kosice, Slovakia, on June 15 by Cardinal Joseph Tomko. Martin Celuch was ordained a transitional deacon in Kosice, Slovakia, on June 14 by Bishop Aloyz Tkac. Father Peter Haladej, 26, is the son of Teresia and Paul Haladej of Slanski Nove Mesto, Slovakia, Europe. He began his seminary studies in 1994 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Kosice, Slovakia, and served for a year in Anchorage, Alaska, as part of his training. In 1999, he came to the Youngstown Diocese and studied at St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he earned the master of divinity degree. Father Haladej served internships at Massillon St. Mary Parish and East Liverpool St. Aloysius Parish. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has named Father Haladej associate pastor of Girard St. Rose Parish effective July 15. Father Haladej credits his priestly vocation to several priests he knew while growing up in Slovakia. “I was able to develop a personal friendship with them, talk and pray with them, and even spent vacations with them,” he told the Exponent. Father Haladej is being ordained for the Archdiocese of Kosice, Slovakia, and will serve in the Diocese of Youngstown for five years, returning to Slovakia after that time. For that reason, he was ordained in his home diocese by his own bishop. “This is not just my event. This is an event for my whole family, my friends, my parish, and the whole village,” he said. “It was important for them to be able to participate in the celebration.” Upon his return to the Diocese of Youngstown, Father Haladej looks forward to ministering in St. Rose Parish. He is especially interested in small Christian communities, prayer groups where people can share their faith. “Personally, I think that is the only way to build up parishes and the spiritual life of parishioners,” he said. Father Haladej said he is becoming accustomed to life in the United States. “I think I adjusted pretty well, not only to the culture but also to the diocese,” he said. “The major thing I am dealing with is I do not have as many young priests and seminarians to support me. I do like the people. I have made friends everywhere I went. You have to love people in order to be able to serve them.” Father Haladej has one sister, Martina Kozakova of Slovakia. Deacon Martin Celuch, 26, a native of Sverzov, Slovakia, is the son of Agnesa Celuchova of Slovakia and the late Cyril Celuch. He is a 1994 graduate of Jiraskova Street 12 High School of Slovakia and studied theology from 1994-1999 at Knazsky Seminary, Hlavná, Kosice, Slovakia. He came to the United States in 1999 to complete his studies for the priesthood and attended Point Park College, Pittsburgh, and St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pa. He earned the master of divinity degree with high honors from St. Vincent Seminary in 2002. Deacon Celuch will return to the Diocese of Youngstown to complete his preparations for ordination to the priesthood in 2003.   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