By Peter Sanchez
On a morning with plenty of sun, the light of the Son shone brightly here at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro, as Bishop Dennis Sullivan and the Catholic community of South Jersey joyfully welcomed two new members of the priesthood: Father Steven Bertonazzi and Father Carlo Santa Teresa.
With the classes, exams and discernment of the seminary life behind them, the two now look to begin their ministry to God’s flock as shepherds in the field.
Ordained by Bishop Sullivan in front of their Vocation Director, seminary formators, now brother-priests, deacons, religious, families and friends, the two resolved to “discharge without fail the office of the Priesthood in the presbyteral rank … to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely … to celebrate faithfully and reverently, in accord with the Church’s tradition, the mysteries of Christ … to implore … God’s mercy upon the people entrusted to (their) care … (and) to be united more closely every day to Christ the High Priest.”
After he anointed their hands with the Holy Chrism, and laying his own hands on the two chosen, Bishop Sullivan handed over to them the paten and chalice, vessels of the Body and Blood of Christ and a sign of their duty to bring Jesus to all.
“May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment,” Bishop Sullivan prayed, asking the Lord to give them grace so that “by their ministry … may they gain glory for you.”
When Deacon Christopher Myers took roll call of the two priests just before they were ordained, the two men both answered “Present” at the sound of their names.
Addressing them in front of the congregation, Bishop Sullivan urged them to “be present” to all of God’s people, wherever they find themselves in the vineyard of the Lord: “Be shepherds among them, behind them and in front of them.”
“You are anointed to anoint” and refresh, renew them, he continued.
“Befriend the elderly … care for the poor … counsel the troubled … enjoy the company of children … connect with teenagers and young adults … visit families, listen to their problems … visit those in prison …welcome the immigrant. Assist (all) with life’s crosses.”
The two were vested with their priestly garments by mentors in the spiritual faith: Father Bertonazzi by Father Peter M. Saporito and Father Santa Teresa by Msgr. James R. Tracy.
As Father Bertonazzi and Father Santa Teresa left Glassboro to prepare for their first assignments, the two keep with them the goodwill and prayers of their brother priests and the faithful of South Jersey. As Bishop Sullivan said, that goodwill is “taken from the people, for the people.”
On May 23, the two priests celebrate their first Masses as priests at their home parishes, Father Steven Bertonazzi at noon at Vineland’s Saint Padre Pio Parish, and Father Carlo Santa Teresa at 3 p.m. at Saint Peter Parish in Merchantville.