Archdiocese gains two new priests

The two ordinands lay prostrate during the rite of ordination at the Cathedral of the Assumption May 28.
The two ordinands lay prostrate during the rite of ordination at the Cathedral of the Assumption May 28.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz ordained Fathers Wilfredo Fernandez and Sean McKinley to the priesthood on May 28 at the Cathedral of the Assumption before a crowd of about 300 people and dozens of priests and deacons.

The archbishop thanked the men’s families, noting that “our vocations are rooted in the family.”

He encouraged the men to follow the sacrificial example of St. Maxmilian Kolbe, a martyr killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp in World War II. He was transferred to the camp on May 28, the same day as the ordination, the archbishop noted. The Conventual Franciscan martyr later volunteered to be killed in the place of another prisoner.

Archbishop Kurtz told the newly ordained priests and the congregation, “We pray that you will be witnesses to Christ, using your gifts, not for your own benefit, but in the service of his people.”

Father Wilfredo Fernandez, above right, was ordained by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz on May 28 at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville. Deacon Patrick Wright looked on. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Father Wilfredo Fernandez, above right, was ordained by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz on May 28 at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville. Deacon Patrick Wright looked on. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)

Father Fernandez, a native of Bolivia, will serve as associate pastor of St. Michael Church in Fairfield, Ky., and the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Ky.

Father Sean McKinley, above, was ordained by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville May 28. Father Michael Wimsatt, director of the Vocation Office, looked on. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Father Sean McKinley, above, was ordained by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville May 28. Father Michael Wimsatt, director of the Vocation Office, looked on. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)

Father McKinley, a native of Elizabethtown, Ky., will serve as associate pastor of St. Gabriel Church.

After the ordination, Father McKinley blessed his grandmother, Betty Marsee. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
After the ordination, Father McKinley blessed his grandmother, Betty Marsee. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
After the ordination, Father Fernandez offered blessings to his fellow priests. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
After the ordination, Father Fernandez offered blessings to his fellow priests. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Fathers Sean McKinley and Wilfredo Fernandez lay prostrate before the altar of the Cathedral of the Assumption May 28 during the rite of ordination to the priesthood. (Record Photos by Marnie McAllister)
Fathers Sean McKinley and Wilfredo Fernandez lay prostrate before the altar of the Cathedral of the Assumption May 28 during the rite of ordination to the priesthood. (Record Photos by Marnie McAllister)
Father Ben Brown, left, helped the newly ordained Father Sean McKinley vest during the ordination May 28 . Father Brown baptized Father McKinley. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Father Ben Brown, left, helped the newly ordained Father Sean McKinley vest during the ordination May 28
. Father Brown baptized Father McKinley. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Father J. Mark Spalding, right, layed hands on Father Wildredo Fernandez during the rite of ordination May 28. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Father J. Mark Spalding, right, layed hands on Father Wildredo Fernandez during the rite of ordination May 28. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Archbishop Kurtz embraced the newly ordained Father McKinley during the ordination May 28 at the Cathedral. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Archbishop Kurtz embraced the newly ordained Father McKinley during the ordination May 28 at the Cathedral. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Father Sean McKinley blessed Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz at the Cathedral of the Assumption after ordination May 28. Father Wilfredo Fernandez looked on. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)
Father Sean McKinley blessed Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz at the Cathedral of the Assumption after ordination May 28. Father Wilfredo Fernandez looked on. (Record Photo by Marnie McAllister)

 

Marnie McAllister
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Marnie McAllister
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