On Saturday, April 23, Bishop Gerard Battersby ordained Deacons Richard Dorsch, Jr., Jeremy Schupbach, Michael Bruno Selvaraj, Andrew Smith, and Ryan Walters to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This is the last step ahead of their presbyteral ordinations next year.

His Excellency offered in his homily words of “encouragement” and “direction” to the men, prior to their ordination, while also explaining the nature and duties of the diaconate.

“Consecrated by the laying on of hands passed down from the apostles and bound more closely to the service of the altar, they will carry out a ministry of charity in the name of the bishop or pastor,” Bishop Battersby told the men and congregation gathered. “In all these duties, let them act with the help of God in such a way that you recognize them as disciples of Him who did not come to be served but to serve.”

Following their diaconal ordination, Andrew Smith spoke on behalf of the newest deacons for the Archdiocese of Detroit, sharing how unworthy they are “to be called to the order of deacons” and how “everything that has been done in us is done through the grace of God.”

(Photos courtesy of Tim Fuller Photography | Detroit Priestly Vocations)