Fathers Michael Fowler, Matthew Jones and Carlos Sanchez were ordained priests of the Diocese of Rochester by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano during a June 20 Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Noting that Father’s Day was the next day, the bishop likened priestly fathers to biological fathers, saying that “the good father is always present to his family.”
Click here to view more photos from this event and/or buy prints.
Bishop Salvatore R. Matano lays his hands on the head of priest candidate Michael Fowler during the Mass.
Dozens of diocesan priests line up to lay their hands on the heads of the priest candidates.
Father Paul Bonacci (top) lays his hands on the head of Matthew Jones during the ordination Mass.
Father Robert Ring (center) and other diocesan priests lay their hands on the heads of Michael Fowler (from left), Carlos Sanchez and Matthew Jones during the ordination Mass.
Priest candidate Matthew Jones (right) pledges his obedience to Bishop Matano and his successors.
The priest candidates prostrate themselves in front of the altar at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Father Michael Fowler (back to camera) is congratulated by Bishop Emeritus Matthew H. Clark during the Mass.
Father Carlos Sanchez (left) is congratulated by Father James Schwartz during the Mass.
Father Matthew Jones offers Communion during the ordination Mass.
At the end of the Mass Bishop Salvatore R. Matano knelt and was blessed by each newly ordained priest.
Father Matthew Jones offers a blessing to seminarian Anthony Amato (kneeling) after the ordination Mass.
Father Carlos Sanchez (left) blesses his father, Luis Carlos Sanchez, as his sister, Gloria Sanchez, looks on. His sister and father traveled from Colombia to attend the ordination Mass.