A step closer to the priesthood

Jonathan Hoole, Douglas Villanella ordained transitional deacons

By Tami S. Scott
Editor

Grace. That was, in essence, the very prayer on the hearts of both Jonathan Hoole and Douglas Villanella as they prepared for their ordination as transitional deacons. Each, in their own way, asked God for openness and strength for the ministry ahead. 

“Lord, make me ready as I can be,” the now-Deacon Hoole said. 

“The prayer most on my heart … was that my heart would be as fully open as it could be to receive the graces that God would give me on that day …” said Deacon Villanella. 

Their prayers were answered.

Friends and family from around the diocese gathered the morning of May 16 at St. Mary of the Assumption in Binghamton to witness the elects’ rites of ordination, including the Promise of the Elect, the Litany of Supplication, the laying on of hands, the investiture with the stole and dalmatic, the handing on of the Book of the Gospels, and the fraternal kiss.

Bishop Douglas J. Lucia was the principal celebrant. Concelebrants included Bishop-Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham, Auxiliary Bishop Gregg Caggianelli of the Archdiocese for the Military Services; Father Joe O’Connor, vice rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland; Father Jason Hage, pastor of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish in New Hartford and Utica; and Father Artur Krawczenko, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Paul, both in Binghamton. 

Among those who also took part in the liturgy were three siblings of Deacon Villanella: Anthony Villanella, Kolbe Villanella, and Marcelino Villanella, who served as altar servers.

“Jonathan and Douglas, as deacons, as [those] who minister in the Name of Jesus … serve the people in love and joy as you would the Lord — for yours is the Lord’s work,” said Bishop Lucia.

Faithful to the call, devoted to service

Deacon Villanella expressed what an immense gift from God it is to be called to serve in this role, and one, he said, that he is extremely grateful for. 

“He didn’t have to choose me, and so I’m honored that He did. But it is also a great affirmation of the call that I’ve received, in the sense that for many years of my formation, the question was, ‘Is this what you want from me?’

“As formation went on and got closer to ordination,” he continued, “that question was more and more replaced with the statement, ‘I believe this is what you want from me.’ And at the ordination, it was like hearing God say, ‘Come forward. This is what I want from you.’ And that gives me great confidence in His call to ministry, and in His assistance to perform it.”

As Deacon Hoole reflected on his new role, he said he hopes to serve as Christ served throughout His life on earth, and as the first deacons did in the Acts of the Apostles, by preaching the truth without reserve and helping those in need of necessities and Christ. 

Looking ahead to his priestly ordination next year, he shared his hope of revealing Christ to others by serving as His hands and feet, “most especially as a reflection of his Sacred Heart,” he added.

Summer assignments

Deacon Hoole and Deacon Villanella will return to the seminary in August. In the meantime, each has specific summer assignments that will engage them in practical ministry experiences. 

Deacon Hoole will minister across four churches: St. Paul and St. Bartholomew in Norwich, St. Malachi in Sherburne, and St. Theresa in New Berlin. Additionally, with Bishop Lucia’s permission, he will also continue to serve the Archdiocese for the Military Services. He hopes to eventually serve as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Navy, providing pastoral care to sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.

Deacon Villanella will serve at Sacred Heart in Cicero and Divine Mercy in Central Square.