Summer 2022 Ordinations

Bishop Dennis Sullivan ordains five transitional deacons to the priesthood on Saturday, May 14: (left to right) Rev. Fr. Paul Abbruscato, Rev. Fr. Cesar Pirateque, Most Rev. Dennis Sullivan,
Rev. Fr. Logan Nilsen, Rev. Fr. Stephen Robbins, Rev. Fr. Christopher Myers.

For an in-depth story in Catholic Star Herald, click here

Rev. Christopher Heller
First Mass: Church of Saint Patrick, 9 North Clinton Ave., Bay Shore at 2 p.m.
Mass livestreamed on parish website. St. Patrick Parish » Live Stream from St. Pat’s (stpatrickbayshore.org)

Rev. Christopher Heller’s hometown is Bay Shore and his home parish is St. Patrick’s in Bay Shore. He graduated from Chaminade High School, Mineola and The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Rev. Heller attended St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y. Rev. Heller has a sister and a brother. “As I approach ordination to the priesthood, the thoughts and feelings in my heart are best expressed by the short passage from Psalm 116, which I chose for my prayer card, said Rev. Heller. “What shall I render to the Lord for all the great good done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of his people.” “I am filled with overwhelming gratitude to God for his goodness to me and his faithfulness to me all these years. My only response is to raise the cup of salvation—the Eucharist and the preaching of the Word—and to make my life a ceaseless offering of thanksgiving to him. I am excited and prepared to ‘pay my vows’ on my ordination day before family, friends, and the people of God on Long Island and to remain faithful to him through my ministry to them. In short, my heart has been filled with gratitude these days, looking back at where God has been in my life and where his promise is leading me now. Priesthood has been one of God’s greatest gifts to me, and I pray it will be my greatest
gift back to Him.”

Rev. Stephen Rooney’s hometown is West Hempstead, New York and his home parish is St. Joseph’s parish, Garden City. Rev. Rooney graduated from Holy Trinity Diocesan High School, Hicksville and St. John’s University, Queens. Rev. Rooney attended St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y. Rev. Rooney is also an avid runner who has bicycled across America for affordable housing. He two sisters and two brothers. “I am look forward to getting to know the families of the parish,” said Rev. Rooney. “I look forward to being a full-time evangelizer. Bringing people to God each and every day.”

Rev. Louis Cona
Louis Cona from Franklin Square and his home parish is St. Catherine of Sienna in Franklin Square. Rev. Cona is a graduate from H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square. He then attended and graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. At Georgetown, Rev. Cona studied political philosophy. He was active in Georgetown University Knights of Columbus Council as well as university pro-life activities. He worked for Georgetown’s Religious Freedom project and interned on Capitol Hill. Rev. Cona attended St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y. and the Pontifical North American College, Rome. Rev. Mr. Cona was also a Savi guide in Rome which is a special tour of the necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica that leads pilgrims to the bones of St. Peter. Rev. Cona has a sister and brother. “I can’t think of a better job as a vocation that God calls us to in prayer than to absolve sins in the name of Jesus in Confession, to celebrate Mass --the Eucharist, the incredible gift that God has given us, the Church,” said Rev. Cona. “I just can’t wait to be out there preaching the Gospel in a world wounded by sin, by division; where we can be instruments of God’s mercy, of reconciliation,” said Rev. Cona.