Leaving the woodpile higher than we found it. — Page 11B
New Earth CATHOLIC DIOCESE
OF
FARGO
June 2013 Vol. 34
No. 6
1B
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth” — Rev. 21:1
www.FargoDiocese.org
Ordination Day 2013
Deacons Sean Mulligan and Troy Simonsen prostrate themselves before the altar of St. Mary’s Cathedral as prayers are read during the ordination rite for the men as priests for the Fargo Diocese.
Fathers Mulligan and Simonsen are Diocese of Fargo’s newest priests By Tanya Watterud and Katie Wise
F
ather Troy Simonsen and Father Sean Mulligan were ordained priests for the Diocese of Fargo June 7 by Bishop David Kagan at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo. Both priests celebrated their first Mass the following day, with Father Mulligan’s at St. Michael’s Church in Grand Forks and Father Simonsen’s at the Cathedral. During the ordination Mass, those present responded “thanks be to God” and broke into applause as Bishop Kagan presented the men to be ordained. As a sign to surrender to God, the men lay prostrate on the floor in front of the altar while the assembly prayed for the intercession of the saints and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Bishop Kagan then conferred ordination by laying his hands on their heads, a gesture repeated by the many priests present at the celebration as a sign of unity and shared spirit. After a prayer of consecration, Fathers Mulligan and Simonsen were vested with a stole (a sign of the priestly office) and a chasuble (the Eucharistic vestment) with assistance from Msgr. Gregory Schlesselmann and Father Raymond Courtright. The newly ordained priests then knelt before the bishop, who anointed their hands with sacred chrism. Please turn to TWO NEW PRIESTS on page 2B
Photos by Deacon Joe Krupinsky
Father Troy Simonsen (left) and Father Sean Mulligan flank Bishop David Kagan after the bishop ordained them to the priesthood.