November 20, 2023 at 2:19 p.m.

ORDINATION MASS

Father Daniel Vallejo and Deacons Thomas Fallati and Paul McDonald are ordained at the Cathedral

Deacons Paul McDonald (l.) and Tom Fallati (c.) and Father Daniel Vallejo are welcomed into the fraternity of deacons and priests during their combined Ordination Mass ordination on Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) (Courtesy photo of Cindy Schultz)

Father Daniel Vallejo and Deacons Thomas Fallati and Paul McDonald were ordained at a combined Priesthood and Diaconate Ordination Mass on Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany with Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger presiding.

Father Daniel Vallejo embraces his sister Natalia Vallejo Rios after he’s vested during his ordination to the priesthood on Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist)

Father Vallejo has been named parochial vicar at St. Pius X Church in Loudonville, effective Jan. 1.Deacon Paul McDonald promises obedience to Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger during his ordination to become a deacon on Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist)

Deacon Fallati will continue to serve at St. Kateri Parish in Schenectady as will Deacon McDonald at St. Clement’s Church in Saratoga Springs, Notre Dame-Visitation Church in Schuylerville and St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich.

Deacon Tom Fallati (c.) answers the questions for the Promise of the Elect during his ordination to become a deacon on Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist)

During his homily, Bishop Scharfenberger touched on elements of love that are found in all sacraments. something he wrote about in last week’s Evangelist in which he said of the three men, "This is a momentous occasion then, not only for them but for all of us and to those whom they will serve, for primarily they are accepting a ministry of service, a ministry of love, which is what diakonia (Greek for diaconate) is all about.”

Candidates for deacon and priest supplicant themselves before the altar during the Litany of Supplication during their ordination on Nov. 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist)