On June 7, Bishop Robert J. McClory will ordain two men as priests and one deacon for service to the Diocese of Gary. The transitional deacon-elect William O’Donnell will minister to the needs of local parishes and communities. The priest and deacon ordination Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels begins at 10:30 a.m.
Name: William O’Donnell
Age: 25
Home Parish: Our Lady of Consolation and Holy Martyrs Parish in Merrillville
City/Town of Residence: Crown Point
Parents' Names: Dale O’Donnell and Amy O’Donnell (nee. Paskis); Crown Point
Siblings: Jacob (27), Grace (23), Gabriel (brother-in-law/Grace’s husband), Joseph (20), and Caleb (17)
Educational Background:
Grade School: St. Mary Crown Point (Pre-K through 8th; Class of 2014)
High School: Andrean High School (class of 2018)
College: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota / Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona, Minn. (Class of 2022)
Previous Parish Involvement: Summer assignments: St. Mary Immaculate Conception and Queen of All Saints in Michigan City (Summer 2020), St. Matthias in Crown Point (Summer 2021), St. Bridget in Hobart (Summer 2022), St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville (Summer 2024), St. James the Less in Highland (current assignment)
Words of Jesus that Most Inspired You and Why: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (Jn. 15:13) In iconography, many Christian martyrs are depicted holding this Scripture verse as a testament to how they “laid down their lives” in love for God and neighbor, imitating Christ’s first love for us sinners. St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of those martyrs who hold this verse, and in many ways, his life and death inspired my first steps towards sanctity. As a young man preparing for the sacrament of confirmation, I wondered what my life was all about and where I would find fulfillment and purpose. The example of St. Maximilian, who “laid down his life” for a husband and father in Auschwitz, was one of the first stories of sainthood that plunged me deeper into the mystery of God’s transforming love for man. It’s hard to explain in words, but something deep within me made me desire that kind of love for another, and I believed that it was possible for my life if I pursued it.
“Little did I know that after being confirmed with Maximilian as my patron, I would pursue God’s call to become a Catholic priest. Now, more than 10 years have passed since my confirmation, and in a little over a week, I will sacramentally “lay down my life” on the floor of the same cathedral and receive the Holy Spirit in a new way. Through St. Maximilian and the other saints, I saw how God’s grace really transforms us and equips us to say yes to His plan for our lives. We can sacrifice our lives for others because “God showed his love for us by dying for us when we were still sinners and his enemies.” (Rom 5:8-10) Now that we have been saved through Jesus’ resurrection, we all have the power and mission through the Holy Spirit to rescue those who still experience slavery to sin. God has not made us for self-love, but for self-sacrificial love. And while not all people are called or meant to be priests, I know that God commands all of us to “love one another as He has loved us” by “laying down our lives for one another.”
Ministries You Hope to Pursue as a Deacon: I look forward to learning how to preach well, and I want to develop ways of preaching the kerygma boldly in all liturgical settings. I also look forward to bringing the Eucharist to people who are sick and afflicted in the hospital. I am especially excited to teach people how to pray by praying with them and bestowing God’s blessing upon them. During my time at Sacred Heart, I spent most of the last semester as a table leader in The Rescue Project at a parish. I hope that I can pursue awesome experiences of accompanying people through the kerygma on the parish level so as to give others opportunities to be overwhelmed by the Gospel and equip them for the mission God has made them for.
With What Gifts Do You Believe You Have Been Blessed?: God has blessed me with a gentle heart, a keen ear for listening, and an affable presence around people. I long for opportunities to share in other people's sufferings and accompany them through difficulties. I believe God has given me the charisms of intercessory prayer, mercy, compassion, and encouragement. Many have said that I have a great sense of humor, which allows me many opportunities to laugh at myself and enjoy others’ company. I have a passion for exercise and enjoying the outdoors, and I am eager to lead others to live better lives through these methods. Finally, I love bringing people together and creating spaces where holy and virtuous friendships can be forged amongst themselves and in relationship with God, Mary, and the saints.
