William McCarthy ordained to priesthood May 31

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
June 5, 2003

Ordained to the priesthood on May 31, the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo asked William McCarthy to set out in haste in service to the Lord as did Mary.

The newest priest of the Diocese of Sioux City is the son of Virginia and the late William McCarthy of Hawarden.

In the opening prayer of the ordination Mass held at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, the bishop prayed, "Father, you have appointed your Son Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. Guide those he has chosen to be ministers of word and sacrament and help them to be faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received."

McCarthy, the transitional deacon, was called forward as the Rite of Ordination began following the proclamation of the Gospel by Deacon Mike Hand.

Father Brian Hughes, director of vocations for the diocese, was the presenter of the candidate for priesthood. He said, "After inquiry among the people of Christ and upon recommendation of those concerned with his training, I testify that he has been found worthy."

Upon the bishop stating that McCarthy was chosen for priesthood, the congregation applauded.

In his homily that immediately followed, Bishop DiNardo said, "Your applause was genuine, hearty and the loudest applause was from the priests. They are looking for help."

He said that while it was a joyful day, it was a little bittersweet as the deacon candidate's father died just a few weeks ago. The bishop noted that he would offer prayers for the late William McCarthy.

For Bishop DiNardo, this was his fourth time to lead an ordination. The homily focused on the role of priestly service in the church.

Referring to the Gospel when Mary set out in haste to visit Elizabeth out of obedience, the bishop said that the obedience wasn't servile or slave-like but rather "the most profound, active, energetic form of acceptance that we will know outside of Jesus Christ the Savior who she carries in her womb and in her heart."

The bishop pointed out to the candidate that foundational to his priestly ministry is "active, energetic, engaged acceptance." While it is hard to think of acceptance as anything but passive, Bishop DiNardo stressed that Mary gave it a new dimension.

Through the priestly ministry, the bishop told McCarthy that he hoped the new priest would have fire and tongue. In preaching the priest should echo Christ and not oneself.

"The tongue of encouragement. The tongue of mercy. The tongue of being Jesus' head and mouth at the celebration of the Eucharist and in reconciling the sinner," said Bishop DiNardo.

The bishop stressed the importance of his being absolutely faithful to the teachings of the church.

"You need to be faithful to the rubrics and the way we celebrate the liturgy as given to us in the Roman tradition. From the words 'Lift up your hearts' until the great 'amen' ... you quote the words of Jesus," he said. "At that point, the church forgoes any verbal initiative of its own in order to make clear it is Christ acting through this sacrament."

The bishop told McCarthy that he would make a wonderful priest and he was delighted to ordain him.

After the Examination of the Candidate, Promise of Obedience and Invitation to Prayer, the deacon candidate prostrated before the altar during the Litany of Saints.

Following the Laying on of Hands, the bishop prayed the prayer of consecration, "Almighty Father, grant this servant of yours the dignity of the priesthood. Renew within him the spirit of holiness. As a co-worker with the order of bishops may he be faithful to the ministry that he receives from you, Lord God, and be to others a model of right conduct."

The newly ordained was then vested in stole and chasuble by Msgr. Ed Burian, Father McCarthy's uncle; and Father LeRoy Seuntjens, pastor of St. Mary's in Hawarden. Father McCarthy was then anointed with chrism oil on the hands by the bishop.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed the Presentation of Gifts and Kiss of Peace. Father McCarthy offered the closing blessing for the liturgy.

After the ceremony, his sister, Mary Koelher of Minnesota described having her brother become a priest as a great gift. She added that they were blessed to have him called in this way.

"The service was overwhelming," she said. "It was phenomenal - the music, the cantor, - it was so well orchestrated."

His sister, Patty Haden, of Primghar and mother, Virginia, said it was a beautiful celebration.

"It's been a great day," said his mother. "I am happy there is such a nice crowd."

Haden noted that her brother, Father McCarthy, looks very happy. She thanked parishioners and priests of the diocese for their support.

"He farmed for 17 years with mom and dad, but he had a calling. This has been a great leap of faith," she said. "We are very happy for him."