By Lori Lesko
CLEVELAND-From the deep roll of the drums signaling the entrance canticle, “Worthy is Christ” to the recessional, “Go Into the World”, the ordination of five men into the priesthood on May 10 was indeed a “feast of victory for God” and for Bishop Richard G. Lennon—and the entire Cleveland Catholic Diocese.
But despite the ornate and jubilant ceremony inside the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the bishop emphasized the simple story of Jesus asking Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” And Peter answering, “Oh, Lord, you know that I love you.” And Jesus responding, “Then feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”

The five newly ordained priests, above, blessed Bishop Richard Lennon during what was one of the more moving moments of the ceremony last Saturday.

At the Rite of Ordination’s election of candidates, Bishop Lennon sat on a regal deep red throne before the altar, facing his newest apostles with a mixture of pride and humility, then called out each by name.
Ordinate Joseph Ross Brankatelli’s joyful shout of “Present!” set the tone, followed by the clear and sure voices of ordinates Stephen Alan Flynn, Michael Patrick McCandless, Jared Paul Orndorff and Edward Frank Suszynski Jr.
“We are so happy so many relatives and friends are gathered here today, along with my brother bishops and so many priests and deacons to attest to what will happen today in this beautiful cathedral,” Bishop Lennon began.
The head of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese praised the family members for the formation of faith that led their sons to hear and heed God’s call to the priesthood.
“We acknowledge the parents, godparents and grandparents and acknowledge all those people who played a role in their journey of faith,” Bishop Lennon said. “All of us are called to be disciples, but only certain ones will make the sacrament of Holy Orders.
“When we witness laying our hands to consecrate those five men, they will join with brother priests and work together with me,” Bishop Lennon said.
“Today is a day of great joy,” he proclaimed. The ordinates “have responded generously to the call of God the Father and to the joy of the diocese that God has chosen. They have taken on a responsibility to preach the word of God and minister especially to the poor and needy.
“When God asked, ‘do you love me?’, you being here, today, is a yes,” the bishop said. “Give yourself wholeheartedly, willingly, eagerly and generously.
“As you receive the sacrament … you are a priest forever.”
In the ancient tradition, Bishop Lennon asked each man, “Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?” Each answered, “I do.”
The five then lay prone before the altar during the lengthy litany of saints. After the five arose to kneel before the altar, the more than 75 diocesan priests lay their hands on the heads of each ordinate followed by the investiture of the stole and chasuble.
The anointing of the hands was followed by the kiss of peace. The trumpets’ song rose in jubilation to lead the congregation in Psalm 99: “You are my friends forever if you do what I command, my friend, says the Lord, Alleluia!” The five then surrounded the bishop at the head of the altar for the eucharistic prayer.
Then each newly ordained priest blessed the host and offered it to family members. Father Brankatelli bent down to offer the body of Christ to his grandmother sitting in the front pew.
Before the final blessing, Lennon asked to be the first person each newly ordained man would bless. The bishop then kneeled before each of the five priests as each made the sign of the cross, then placed his hands atop the bishop’s head.
The roll of the drums led the orchestral recessional down the center aisle, as Bishop Lennon, in a second gesture of humility, followed his newest shepherds down the center aisle, while the congregation broke into applause.
Frank Blackwell, godfather and cousin to Father Joseph Brankatelli, was accompanied by his wife, Cheryl, and children, Amanda, 14, and Braden, 11, all members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Macedonia.
“I like the way the bishop asked to be blessed by the new priests,” Frank Blackwell said. “There is nothing more humbling than that.”
It was tough at times for the priests’ little nephews and nieces, dressed in suits and dresses, to sit still. The solemn ceremony was broken by an occasional anxious cry.
Wearing a frilly dress and white patten leather shoes, four-year-old “Julia” clutched her white and pink-tailed stuffed pony while watching her friend, Father Brankatelli.
Father Stephen Flynn’s aunt, Christine Flynn said, “We were all so overwhelmed. But we weren’t surprised. We suspected his vocation from the time Stephen was in high school and belonged to a youth group at St. Mary’s, Hudson.”
Father Orndorff’s mother, Catherine Armbruster, said, “We are blessed. It’s been a long road. Jared had gone to culinary school, but he just couldn’t deny his vocation.”
Deborah Suszynski said that watching her son, Father Edward Suszynski, receive the sacrament of Holy Orders gave her a feeling of “overwhelming joy. For nine years we’ve been on a journey which finally came to an end, today.
“It was Ed who convinced me to teach PSR at St. Bede the Venerable, Mentor,” his mother said. “I’m still teaching PSR and now he is …here.”
Father Michael McCandless’ mom, Michele Sprungle, was also beaming with tears of joy.
“Mike was serious and always strong about his faith—always a part of his life,” she said.
“Mike is a special guy,” Sprungle added. “He has been special from the day he was born.”
Lesko is a freelance writer.