GARY – With the laying on of hands, vesting, anointing of hands and the presentation of the Body and Blood of Christ, Bishop Robert J. McClory led “a joyous occasion” that brought two newly-ordained priests into the service of the Diocese of Gary on June 1.
The Cathedral of the Holy Angels offered a majestic setting for the Mass of Ordination, which drew a visiting bishop, more than 40 priests, two dozen deacons and a full nave of family, friends and well-wishers to witness the priestly ordination of Deacons Steven Caraher, 28, of Munster, and Zachary Glick, 29, of Highland.
Acknowledging the ongoing graduation season, Bishop McClory made clear that the two new priests were “not just receiving a diploma … a piece of paper in recognition of a milestone. You are being ordained to a new identity … that you may serve the people as teacher, priest and shepherd, priests of Jesus Christ.
“What does it mean to imitate Christ?” continued the bishop. “What does Jesus intend for all of us, his Church? Through baptism, we have direct access to Christ, but Jesus chose certain of his disciples to execute certain priestly duties as teachers, priests, shepherds. Jesus didn’t want us abandoned after his ascension.
“He wanted us to have tangible, ongoing experiences through the sacraments, oils poured on us, blessings imparted,” the bishop said. “We believe that those who are ordained continue on in that spirit of Christ.”
The bishop explained that “Teaching requires a witness to life. Practice what you teach, so you are a reflection of that teaching. To be a priest is to have that servant love, and a shepherd exercises that same loving care that a shepherd does for his flock.
“If called to be a priest, it is a joyful, lifegiving, beautiful way to live,” he added. “As we celebrate, we continue to pray that the Lord will bless us with more priests.”
Noting that “the seeds of these vocations came from their families,” Bishop McClory spoke to the Caraher and Glick families as “so honored for the gift of your sons.”
“I’m blessed, and our whole family is very happy,” said Marc Glick as he handed out his son’s prayer cards, which featured a painting of the crucifixion of Christ by Raphael and a scripture quote, 1 John 4:10-11. “My most memorable moment was receiving Holy Communion from my son, and his first blessing.
“He’ll be able to help a lot of people, in the best and worst of times,” added Marcus Glick. “His heart is in the right place.”
Joann Glick said she was most touched during her son’s ordination “by the laying on of hands by all of the priests to welcome him into the priesthood, and the anointing of his hands by the bishop. I felt pure joy … he is realizing his dream.”
Father Glick admitted “words can’t describe” his feelings during the ordination, but that giving blessings to well-wishers “feels natural. I loved the bishop’s homily exploring the Catholic faith and relating the priesthood to the Bible and how Jesus elevated the priesthood.”
Before his ordination, Father Caraher suggested his favorite ordination moment might be the wrapping of his hands in the maniturgium (stole), but found instead, “My vesting (by Father Michael Yadron, pastor of his home parish) hit me so hard. It was so touching that I wept. What a blessing to bring Jesus to the people. As the bishop said, without priests we don’t have the Eucharist.”
Margaret Caraher agreed with her son that his vesting was the key ordination moment. “It became real,” she said. Also touched by the bishop anointing the hands of the new priest, his mother said, “It was great to see a packed cathedral. He’s got a lot of gifts … he can preach so well and his growth has been so amazing.”
“It’s not like I didn’t know what was coming, but now it’s real. It’s a sign that the Church will carry on,” said PJ Caraher. “To see him vested by Father Yadron right in front of me was absolutely the best moment.”
So important is the Eucharist to Father Caraher that he commissioned Jocelyn O’Leary, an artist he met from the Detroit Institute of Arts, to create an image of him at the moment of consecration, featuring his own chalice and the altar and candlesticks from St. Thomas More church, for his prayer card, along with the scripture verse from John 6:35.
On July 1, Father Caraher, who graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic School in Munster (2010), Munster High School (2014) and Indiana University (2018), will begin his first assignment as associate pastor at Holy Martyrs Parish and Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville.
Also on July 1, Father Glick will begin his first assignment as associate pastor of Queen of All Saints and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parishes in Michigan City. He graduated from Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Highland (2009), Highland High School (2013) and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree (2017) and a master’s (2019), both in mechanical engineering.
Headed to pilot training in the U.S. Air Force before answering a call to seminary, Father Glick, a 2nd Lt. in the USAFR, is a candidate for the U.S. Military chaplaincy. After three years in his diocese, Father Glick hopes to serve for five years on active duty as a Catholic chaplain in the USAF, providing pastoral care to Catholic airmen and their families through the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, before returning to the Diocese of Gary.
“To God be the glory,” said Bishop Richard Spencer, chaplain and colonel USA (ret.) for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, who traveled from Atlanta, Ga. to support Father Glick’s vocation. “This is another sign that God wants his Church to grow and be present to those who serve in uniform.”
“We’ve prayed so hard for this day and our prayers have come to fruition,” said a tearful Susan Gryfakis, outgoing president of the Serra Club of Northwest Indiana. “God bless them in their ministry.”
Caption: At the Cathedral of the Holy Angels, Bishop Robert J. McClory (right) speaks to transitional deacons Steven Caraher (middle, left) and Zachary Glick (middle, right) during the presentation of the candidates at the Mass of Ordination among the presence of dozens of diocesan clergymen and a full house of faithful in Gary on June 1. Father Caraher, a Munster native and St. Thomas More School alumnus, and Father Glick, a Highland native and Our Lady of Grace School alumnus, began their priestly service in the diocese. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)