Charles Onyeneke was ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, on Saturday, May 18. The youngest of seven children, Onyeneke grew up in Imo State, Nigeria. Taught by his parents that the love of Christ in the Eucharist can “annihilate difficulties,” it was this love, he says, “that made me enroll as an altar server as of the age of 11 to be more close with Christ in the Eucharist.” Driven by a zeal to serve God and minister to others, Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria, receiving degrees in philosophy from both 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 in Theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He completed a Master of Arts in Theology at St. Leo University, Florida, and is currently working towards a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. “For me preparing to become a deacon is preparing to be a minister of the Word of God,” he explains. “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 bring healing to the sick.” Photo 1: Charles Onyeneke stands with his family as Mass begins. Photos by Nate Whitchurch
Charles Onyeneke was ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, on Saturday, May 18. The youngest of seven children, Onyeneke grew up in Imo State, Nigeria. Taught by his parents that the love of Christ in the Eucharist can “annihilate difficulties,” it was this love, he says, “that made me enroll as an altar server as of the age of 11 to be more close with Christ in the Eucharist.” Driven by a zeal to serve God and minister to others, Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria, receiving degrees in philosophy from both 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 in Theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He completed a Master of Arts in Theology at St. Leo University, Florida, and is currently working towards a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. “For me preparing to become a deacon is preparing to be a minister of the Word of God,” he explains. “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 bring healing to the sick.” Photos, from left to right: Diaconate candidate Charles Onyeneke kneels before Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger and promises to respect and obey him and his successors; lays prostrate before the altar as a sign of his humble submission to God's will; and stands before Bishop Scharfenberger for presentation. Photos by Nate Whitchurch
Charles Onyeneke was ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, on Saturday, May 18. The youngest of seven children, Onyeneke grew up in Imo State, Nigeria. Taught by his parents that the love of Christ in the Eucharist can “annihilate difficulties,” it was this love, he says, “that made me enroll as an altar server as of the age of 11 to be more close with Christ in the Eucharist.” Driven by a zeal to serve God and minister to others, Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria, receiving degrees in philosophy from both 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 in Theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He completed a Master of Arts in Theology at St. Leo University, Florida, and is currently working towards a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. “For me preparing to become a deacon is preparing to be a minister of the Word of God,” he explains. “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 bring healing to the sick.” Photo: Diaconate candidate Charles Onyeneke lays prostrate before the altar as a sign of his humble submission to God's will. Photos by Nate Whitchurch
Charles Onyeneke was ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, on Saturday, May 18. The youngest of seven children, Onyeneke grew up in Imo State, Nigeria. Taught by his parents that the love of Christ in the Eucharist can “annihilate difficulties,” it was this love, he says, “that made me enroll as an altar server as of the age of 11 to be more close with Christ in the Eucharist.” Driven by a zeal to serve God and minister to others, Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria, receiving degrees in philosophy from both 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 in Theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He completed a Master of Arts in Theology at St. Leo University, Florida, and is currently working towards a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. “For me preparing to become a deacon is preparing to be a minister of the Word of God,” he explains. “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 bring healing to the sick.” Photo: Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger poses for a photo with seminarians, discerners and candidates. Photos by Nate Whitchurch
Charles Onyeneke was ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, on Saturday, May 18. The youngest of seven children, Onyeneke grew up in Imo State, Nigeria. Taught by his parents that the love of Christ in the Eucharist can “annihilate difficulties,” it was this love, he says, “that made me enroll as an altar server as of the age of 11 to be more close with Christ in the Eucharist.” Driven by a zeal to serve God and minister to others, Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria, receiving degrees in philosophy from both 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 in Theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He completed a Master of Arts in Theology at St. Leo University, Florida, and is currently working towards a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. “For me preparing to become a deacon is preparing to be a minister of the Word of God,” he explains. “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 bring healing to the sick.” Photo: Deborah Czmyr, right, gives the first reading, while Chinoso Ugwumba gives the second reading. Photos by Nate Whitchurch
Charles Onyeneke was ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, on Saturday, May 18. The youngest of seven children, Onyeneke grew up in Imo State, Nigeria. Taught by his parents that the love of Christ in the Eucharist can “annihilate difficulties,” it was this love, he says, “that made me enroll as an altar server as of the age of 11 to be more close with Christ in the Eucharist.” Driven by a zeal to serve God and minister to others, Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria, receiving degrees in philosophy from both 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 in Theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He completed a Master of Arts in Theology at St. Leo University, Florida, and is currently working towards a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. “For me preparing to become a deacon is preparing to be a minister of the Word of God,” he explains. “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 bring healing to the sick.” Photos: Father Brian Slezak and Glory Echefu Ozor vest the newly ordained Charles Onyeneke with stole and dalmatic; and Deacon Charles Onyeneke serves as a Eucharistic Minister. Photos by Nate Whitchurch
Charles Onyeneke was ordained a transitional deacon as part of his continuing journey to the priesthood by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger at a Mass and Rite of Ordination at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, on Saturday, May 18. The youngest of seven children, Onyeneke grew up in Imo State, Nigeria. Taught by his parents that the love of Christ in the Eucharist can “annihilate difficulties,” it was this love, he says, “that made me enroll as an altar server as of the age of 11 to be more close with Christ in the Eucharist.” Driven by a zeal to serve God and minister to others, Onyeneke began his path to the priesthood in 1998 at St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Nigeria, receiving degrees in philosophy from both 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 in Theology from Imo State University, Owerri, and a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He completed a Master of Arts in Theology at St. Leo University, Florida, and is currently working towards a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. “For me preparing to become a deacon is preparing to be a minister of the Word of God,” he explains. “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 bring healing to the sick.” Photos: Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger speaks to Diaconate candidate Charles Onyeneke during his homily; and Altar servers Paul Cerosaletti and Martin Dinan hold candles as Deacon Alfred Censullo reads the Gospel. Photos by Nate Whitchurch
