Three Priests Ordained for the Diocese of Oakland
The Catholic Voice is on Facebook VOL. 57, NO. 11 DIOCESE OF OAKLAND JUNE 10, 2019 www.catholicvoiceoakland.org Serving the East Bay Catholic Community since 1963 Copyright 2019 Three priests ordained for the Diocese of Oakland By Michele Jurich Staff writer Addressing the three men before him, “Soon-to-be Father Mark, Father John and Father Javier,” Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, told them, “you are called and chosen” and told them what serving means today. In front of a crowded Cathedral of Christ the Light Bishop Barber told them he was zeroing in on the third vow they would take shortly, to celebrate the Mass and administer the Sacrament of Confession worthily. “You will never violate the Seal of Confession,” Bishop Barber told the three new priests. “No state or government can oblige you to betray your penitents.” Legislation — SB 360 — has passed the state Senate and is moving to the Assembly. It will compel a priest to reveal to police some sins he hears in confession. The new priests, John Anthony Pietruszka, 32, Javier Ramirez, 43, and Mark Ruiz, 56, listened attentively. Father Pietruszka is from Fall River Massachusetts; Father Ramirez from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico; and Mark Father Ruiz was born and raised in Oakland. They would not be alone, the bishop assured them. To show that support, more than 70 VOICE CATHOLIC PACCIORINI/THE C. ALBERT priests, mostly diocesan, were present to With Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, at left, the trio of men prostrate themselves at the altar. This symbolizes each man’s offer blessings and the sign of peace to unworthiness for the office to be assumed and his dependence upon God and the prayers of the Christian community.
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