Another Deacon in the Family

Happy news from the Diocese of Charlotte, where a permanent deacon took part in the ordination of his son as a transitional deacon:

It is a great grace for the whole Church when a new transitional deacon is ordained on his journey toward the holy priesthood. For seminarian Paul D. McNulty, June 1 was an especially joyous occasion as his father, permanent Deacon Brian McNulty, assisted at his ordination and vested him during the Mass at their home parish of St. Patrick Cathedral.

“It has been wonderful to watch God’s grace working in Paul’s life, as he first acknowledged and then struggled with the idea of a vocation to the priesthood,” said Deacon Brian McNulty. “Through the years, his faith has grown, his love for Our Lord has deepened, and his ability to love others has expanded – all in a beautiful way.

“His vocation has called for a lot of prayer and trust on our part, knowing that the Lord would reveal His purposes and answer these prayers at the best of times.”

During the rite of ordination, Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director, presented the diaconate candidate to Bishop Jugis, who asked, “Do you know him to be worthy?”

Father Gober answered, “After inquiry among the Christian people, and upon the recommendation of those responsible, I testify that he has been found worthy.”

At Bishop Jugis’ confirmation of the reception of the candidate to the diaconate, a resounding round of applause confirmed the assembly’s desire to see McNulty ordained…

…When it was time to vest the new transitional deacon, “Deacon dad” Brian McNulty had the honor of helping the newest Deacon McNulty into a cream-colored, gold-embroidered dalmatic.

“As a permanent deacon, it is a real privilege and a blessing to be able to serve the Lord in the Diocese of Charlotte and to receive the love and support of the faithful,” the elder Deacon McNulty said.

“Paul’s vocation has reminded me of this aspect of our Catholic faith and the love that we share with our brothers and sisters in Christ. There have been countless times during the past many years when our friends and acquaintances, or Paul’s friends and acquaintances from around the diocese, have asked about him and told us of their daily prayers for him and the other seminarians. So we have a deep sense of gratitude and awareness for Paul’s acceptance of God’s call, but also for the countless prayers that have supported him along the way.”

As the Liturgy of the Eucharist unfolded, Michelle McNulty watched her son and her husband in the sanctuary in their matching vestments – Deacon Paul McNulty preparing the sacred vessels and gifts as Deacon Brian McNulty looked on. They stood, one at the right and the other to the left of Bishop Jugis, as he prayed the Eucharistic Prayer.

“We are very grateful to God for the good work He has done in Paul,” Michelle McNulty said. “Our Lady, too, has played a special role in his vocation. His path of discernment has brought our family closer to God and each other as we have joined Paul in prayer for clarity on his journey. We rejoice with the Church in this special occasion as we see his vocation coming to fruition.”

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Congratulations, brother, and welcome. Ad multos annos!