On Saturday, 26 June 2021, Archbishop Leonard Paul Blair will ordain two men to the Roman Catholic Priesthood for the Archdiocese of Hartford at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and the public is invited to attend.

Two Transitional Deacons, The Reverend Mr. Matthew Collins and the Reverend Mr. Joseph MacNeill will make their promises to God and to Archbishop Blair as they begin their priestly lives in the archdiocese.

Deacon MacNeill served here at Saint Catherine of Siena last summer and then again from 8 September until mid-October before he was assigned to receive another parish experience at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Manchester, Connecticut. Deacon Joe also concurrently serves as Prefect of Seminarians to Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford and Director of Seminarians. After his ordination as a Catholic priest, soon-to-be Father MacNeill will have a temporary assignment in the Archdiocese until he returns to further studies in Rome, Italy sometime in late August or early September.

The Ordination ceremony on Saturday, 26 June at 11 a.m. is open to the public and be assured that Deacon Joe MacNeill would be happy to see any St. Catherine of Siena parishioners attend the Ordination Mass. If you cannot attend but would like to send him a congratulatory note, you may use the following address: The Reverend Father Joseph MacNeill, 20 Arrowhead Circle, Newington, Conn. 06111.

I know that all of our parishioners join me in prayerful good wishes to Deacon Joe as he enters into priesthood, that God will abundantly bless him (and Deacon Collins) with His grace and favor as He calls them to the servant priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Father Joe, may God bless you today and always with His special grace as you enter into His Service as His priest. The people of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish