Rejoice Venice! Three new priests are ordained

Fathers Bernard Chojnacki, Paul D’Angelo and Cory Mayer are ordained Oct. 24 at Epiphany Cathedral.

BOB REDDY | FC

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Posted: 10.28.09

VENICE | Fathers Bernard Chojnacki, Paul D’Angelo and Cory Mayer joined the presbyterate of the Diocese of Venice in Florida during an Oct. 24 ordination celebration at Epiphany Cathedral.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane ordained the three men during an elaborate Mass before more than a thousand people, including more than 50 priests, deacons and religious. The men are the first ordinandi in the Diocese of Venice since 2006.

Bishop Dewane said the men “responded to the call of Christ. Let what you teach be a nourishment to the people of God and imitate Christ in his love for others.”

He called the men forward several times, first to give their promise of obedience. The men prostrated themselves, lying flat on their faces, during the Litany of Saints and then as Bishop Dewane recited a prayer, calling to God to pour out the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the power of priestly grace.

Bishop Dewane then called each man forward to lay his hands on each one for a prayer of ordination. This was repeated by Bishop Emeritus John J. Nevins and all of the priests present.

The men were then vested as priests for the first time. Bishop Dewane then called them forward to be anointed on the palms of their hands with holy chrism. The men then were presented a paten with the bread and a chalice containing the wine mixed with water for the celebration of the Mass. Last, the bishop and priests present gave each of the newly ordained the fraternal greeting.

Father Chojnacki, who is from Plock, Poland, completed his studies at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich. During his years of formation he has served at parishes in Venice, Palmetto and Naples, and most recently at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte. He was joined at the ordination by his mother, sister and several other family members and friends.

When Father Chojnacki was a child, his parish pastor served as an inspiration for him to seek becoming a priest, with the wholehearted support of his parents and grandparents. He is saddened that his father passed away before his ordination. He said he knows his father is watching over him. “I knew early on that God wanted my heart and I have given it to him.”

His mother, Barbara Chojnacki, came from Poland to see her son ordained. She sat through the ordination with a smile on her face as her son gave himself to God. Through a translator, she said her “little boy made me very proud today. He is a priest, just as he always wanted to be. God will now watch over him.”

Father D’Angelo, who is from Weston, Mass., is a graduate of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and most recently was assigned to St. William Parish in Naples. He was joined at the ordination by his sister and other family and friends.

The passing of his parents and his favorite aunt helped guide Father D’Angelo to the priesthood. He said he looked forward to celebrating his first Mass, forgiving sins and “helping God’s people. That is what being a priest is about.”

Claire D’Angelo, his sister, said she always knew her brother would someday become a priest. “He was always moved by the Holy Spirit in everything he did. It was just a natural thing for him to be here today. This is such an exciting day.”

Father Mayer, who is from Varysburg, N.Y., near Buffalo, is a graduate of Regina Apostolorum University in Rome. He served at Epiphany Cathedral during his formation. He was joined at the Mass by his mother and stepfather, a sister, two brothers and more than 200 friends and family.

Being ordained a priest means everything to him. “It is an honor and a privilege to go through this beautiful process. I feel I am truly blessed. This is the happiest day of my life.”

Donna Almeter, his mother, said she “could not contain my joy as I watched my son be ordained. What a moment. It was very powerful for me as a mother to see her son become a priest, and also an honor. I am so proud of him. He has been through a lot and to make to here is very special.”

After the Mass, the men offered blessings to the faithful, one of their first acts as newly ordained priests. All three men celebrated Mass at the parish of their present assignment on Oct. 25, Priesthood Sunday. They will receive their first official parish assignment within a month.

The three men join more than 100 active diocesan priests within the Diocese of Venice, serving about 250,000 Catholics in parishes and missions in a 10-county area. The Diocese has 19 other men who are at various stages of their priestly formation, either in college or at seminary.

Return to Diocese of Venice Front Page