Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon

April 12, 2025

Bishop Edward Malesic has called six students of Saint Mary Seminary to the sacred order of deacon.

Ordination took place at 10 a.m. April 12 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland, with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost as the ordaining bishop. Bishop Malesic was in attendance.

The liturgy is livestreamed on the diocesan website.

Those called to ordination, their parents and home parishes are:

  • Charles Renwyck Cairnie, son of Robert and Paula Cairnie and Alexa Cairnie of Wooster, St. Mary of the Immaculate Parish, Wooster
  • Mitchell Timothy Carson, son of Dennis and Rhonda Carson of North Ridgeville, St. Peter Parish, North Ridgeville
  • Cameron Michael Ferrell, son of Brandon and Carrie Ferrell, Doylestown, SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Doylestown
  • Nathan Michael Frankart, son of Steve and Kim Frankart of Vermillion, St. Joseph Parish, Amherst
  • Truong (Joseph) Viet Ho, son of Hoc Viet Ho and Lanh Thi Ngyen of Ha Tinh, Vietnam, St. Boniface Parish, Cleveland
  • Sean Patrick Neville, son of Jim and the late Colleen Neville of Olmsted Falls, St. Mary of the Falls Parish, Olmsted Falls.

The newly ordained will minister as deacons while continuing their studies and formation for priestly ministry.
the parish pastoral assignments for the new deacons are:
Deacon Chuck Cairnie to Immaculate Conception, Willoughby
Deacon Mitch Carson to Divine Word, Kirtland
Deacon Cameron Ferrell to Saint Ladislas, Westlake
Deacon Nathan Frankart to Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Wooster
Deacon Joseph Ho to Saint Bernadette, Westlake
Deacon Sean Neville to Holy Rosary, Cleveland

According to the Rite of Ordination of Deacons, “Strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, the deacons will help the bishop and his priests in the ministry of the Word and altar and of charity, showing themselves to be servants to all.”

Ordained deacons can administer the sacrament of baptism; assist at the altar during Mass and distribute the Eucharist; bring the Eucharist as viaticum to the dying; read sacred Scriptures to the faithful and, on occasion, preach; preside at the Church’s public prayer; administer sacramentals; assist at and bless marriages and officiate at funeral and burial rites.

Read excerpts from Bishop Woost’s homily here:

https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/news/2025/04/16/put-flesh-to-fire-bishop-woost-tells-new-transitional-deacons