Burlington Ordinations

The last ordinations of the season were celebrated in Burlington, Vermont this weekend as our own Curtis Miller was ordained a priest and Joseph Sanderson was ordained as a Deacon.  Matthew Rensch, a seminarian from the North American College was also ordained to the Priesthood.

I was also honored to be at Father Miller’s first Mass this morning in Colchester.  His homily began with the question: “What are people looking for when they ring the rectory doorbell?”  Of course, they are looking for Christ, but who do they find?  A priest, with all his faults and brokenness.  But this is as Jesus willed it, that the priest be an alter Christus, that through him Christ might still be present to his people.  It was a wonderful homily.

Each of the ordinations and first Mass homilies of the past few weeks have touched me and the members of the faculty with the extraordinary realization that God has reached into the lives of these men and worked miracles, transforming them into vessels of his grace.  It is a wonder to behold!

Deacon Joseph Sanderson stands to the right, as Father Curtis Miller offers the Sign of Peace to the members of the Presbyterate of Burlington and other priests who were present.

Bishop Coyne with Fathers Miller and Rensch.

Bishop Coyne imposes hands on Deacon Sanderson.