Ordinations welcome new priest, deacons

Charles Onyeneke was ordained into the priesthood during a ceremony Saturday at Albany’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Albany Roman Catholic Diocese Bishop Edward Scharfenberger also ordained five men as transitional deacons and eight as permanent deacons.

The events meant to take place in separate ceremonies in May and June were postponed because of the pandemic and were combined into Saturday’s single celebration.

According to the diocese, Rev. Charles Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria. He went on to receive degrees in philosophy from Imo State University, Owerri, and the Pontifical Urban University, Rome.

After working as a teacher and dean of student affairs at Father Cloonan Memorial Secondary School, he returned to his own studies, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a bachelor of divinity in theology from the Pontifical Urban University.

Onyeneke completed a master of arts in theology at St. Leo University, Fla., and is working toward a licentiate in sacred theology with a concentration in moral theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore.

“I envisage myself as one who will humbly bring the Word of God to His people. The Word that gives life, restores hope to the hopeless, and brings healing to the sick,” said Onyeneke, who was born in Nigeria, the youngest of seven, and raised to believe in the love of Christ in the Eucharist.

His parents always told him that this love could, “annihilate difficulties,” which led him to become involved with the church at an early age, according to the diocese.

Transitional deacons

Those who are now transitional deacons are:

Matthew Duclos, attended Pontifical North American College, Rome

Kyle Gorenski, attended St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore

Daniel Mchale, attended Pope St. John XXIII Seminary, Weston, Mass.

Nathaniel Resila, attended St. Mary’s of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Ill.

Stephen Yusko, attended Pontifical North American College, Rome

Transitional deacons are those men preparing for ordination to the priesthood. The five will spend one year as deacons before their ordination to the priesthood.

Permanent deacons

The new permanent deacons, with the cooperation and collaboration of their wives, will serve in parish and diocesan ministry.

They may preach, baptize, witness the sacrament of marriage and assist in various other ministries.

They are:

Nicholas Ascioti and his wife, Emily, members of St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wynantskill

Ramon Bonifacio, and his wife, Elaine Escobales, members of Our Lady of the Americas Church, Albany

Paul Cerosaletti, and his wife, Amy, members of St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta

Martin Dinan, and his wife, Katrina, members of St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wynantskill

Ronald Dombrowski, and his wife, Patricia, members of Sacred Heart/immaculate Conception, Palenville and Haines Falls

Paul Leblanc, and his wife, Debra, members of St. Edward the Confessor Church, Clifton Park

Bernard Mcconaghy, and his wife, Rebecca, members of St. Mary’s Church, Clinton Heights

Aaron Tremblay, and his wife, Gail, members of Church of the Holy Spirit, East Greenbush