GARY – Proclaiming it “a day of blessings,” Bishop Robert J. McClory and a Cathedral of the Holy Angels full of family, friends and supporters joyfully welcomed one priest and two transitional deacons to the Diocese of Gary on June 3. Ordained as a diocesan priest was Father Robert T. Ross, 26, while Steven P. Caraher, 27, and Deacon Zachary C. Glick, 28, were ordained to the diaconate as they complete a final year of seminary studies in anticipation of their ordination to the priesthood in 2024.
“You will be vested … to bring the word of gladness to those who need the gift of the Holy Eucharist,” said the bishop as Father Ross was vested in a stole and chasuble by his brother, Father Benjamin Ross, and the two deacons donned new stoles and dalmatics (vestments).
All three men were questioned about their intentions and promised aloud to serve the Catholic Church and their bishop, then lay prostrate in front of the altar while the congregation prayed the Litany of Saints for them.
Father Ross, a Highland native, experienced the laying on of hands by Bishop McClory as well as 45 diocesan priests participating in the liturgy, including his brother, who was ordained in 2012 and is the current pastor of St. Bridget in Hobart. In addition, the new priest was anointed on his hands with the sacred chrism and received a Kiss of Peace from each member of the clergy.
“Carry on the ministry of the Lord wisely,” Bishop McClory charged Father Ross, whose first assignment will be as associate pastor at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Schererville, effective July 1.
“This ordination was more of a fulfillment, with both sons (now) becoming priests,” said Rose Ann Ross, the mother of seven, after the Mass. “They took very different journeys. The diocese suggested Ben go to college away from home, so he went to Franciscan University for two years and then I suggested he re-apply for the seminary program, and he was accepted. He also got to study in Rome. Robert entered the seminary right out of high school, and considered a cloistered order in Ireland, but I’m glad he chose to be a diocesan priest.
“The most touching part for me was when the brotherhood of priests all laid their hands on him,” she added.
Tom Ross said his reaction to the ordination of a second son is, “How good God is. Our family is very blessed, and this is a new beginning for Robert. I’m thankful for all those in the seminary; we’ve prayed for vocations, and I hope for many more vocations to the priesthood.”
As he anticipated, the most meaningful part of the ordination for the new Father Ross was the anointing of his hands with the sacred chrism. “It is the most tactile part and really made (the ordination) real. I keep telling myself, ‘I’m a priest now!’”
Several classmates of Father Ross at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Wisconsin attended the ordination and his first Mass on June 4, describing the new priest as “a good preacher and a good listener.”
“He works well with people one-on-one and knows his theology, offering very useful comments in class,” said Father Julian Druffner of Hudson, Wisc. “He cuts right to the truth.”
In addition to St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, several friends noted his affinity for the character Batman. “I think there was a comic book that showed Batman praying the Rosary, and he picked up on that,” explained Deacon John Zweber of Menomonie, Wisc.
The bishop also laid his hands on the head of each of the deacons and presented each with the Book of Gospels, while more than 30 permanent deacons stepped forward to welcome Deacon Caraher, of Munster, and Deacon Glick, of Highland, into the diaconate.
“May God who has begun great work in you bring it to fulfillment,” said the bishop to the two deacons.
Phil Baumeister, who led a group of men’s club members from Holy Spirit in Winfield to the ordination, said he felt good seeing “so many priests laying hands on Father Ross. We know there is a shortage of priests, but forget how many there are until we see them together at special Masses. It’s good to support the process, and I’m also glad to have the seminarians (serving) in our parishes, so we can get to know them.”
Marc Glick saw the “big smile” on his son Zachary’s face as he was ordained to the diaconate and responded, “My heart is full. He is in the right place, and God is directing it all.”
“I’m feeling extremely happy and joyful,” added Joann Glick. “He is extremely caring and he’s going to go above and beyond – a reference to her son’s plan to serve as a U.S. Air Force chaplain for five years after serving his first three years as a priest in the diocese.
“Being ordained a deacon was an indescribably amazing experience,” said Deacon Glick in comments released by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. “I felt overwhelmed by God's love for me in his gracious calling of me to the priesthood. My heart was filled with peace during the ordination Mass, knowing that I was in the place that God wanted me to be. While I desire to make a gift of my life to God and to his Church, I know that the unmerited gift I received from God on my ordination day far outweighs any gift I could give.”
Margaret Caraher also noted “the smile on his face, radiating joy,” in speaking of her son Steven. “It’s been a five-year journey, but we’ve known he was discerning this vocation since before his senior year in college.”
Patrick J. “PJ” Caraher said he “could see that he is ready” while watching his son’s ordination. “At the start he was discerning, and it’s a process, but once he got to Sacred Heart (Major Seminary in Detroit), I could tell he’d reached a different level. He is going into the priesthood with open eyes, and an open heart.”