The Diocese of St. Petersburg joyfully celebrated the priestly ordination of Fathers Donald Amodeo and Zachary Brasseur, on Saturday, May 21st, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, in St. Petersburg.

“Thanks be to God! The ordination of these two men, our brothers, to the sacred priesthood brings great joy to this Diocese in St. Petersburg,” Bishop Gregory Parkes said during his Ordination Mass Homily. “We have asked and prayed to God to send laborers for his harvest. And He has heard and answered our prayers.”

After many years of preparation through prayer, study and discernment, Father Amodeo and Father Brasseur were ordained in the presence of their families, brother priests, deacons, seminarians, religious women and men, and hundreds of lay faithful from the Diocese and beyond.

“Ordination Day is a moment in which there's new life flowing into the Church by means of men who are willing to become united with Christ,” said Father Chuck, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. “This means we have two new men who are willing to give of their lives so that they can make the sacraments manifest.”

Both men say they’re eager to be part of their new parish communities where they are ready to live out the vision the Diocese, to courageously live the gospel by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, inviting others on their faith journey, and encountering the love and mercy of God and growing in relationship with Jesus Christ and others.

“I'm looking forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To be that face of mercy for people and to be the vessel, for them to receive the Lord's Mercy in that particular way,” said Father Brasseur, whose first priestly assignment will be as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Dunedin.

“I've long seen the diocesan priest as kind of being on the front lines and that spiritual battle. Participating in that in a powerful way and having a chance to really stand up for God in a unique way as a priest is something I'm specifically looking forward to,” said Father Amodeo, who has been assigned as Parochial Vicar of Nativity Parish, Brandon.

During his homily, Bishop Parkes told the men their ordination brings the Diocese great joy and hope but also acknowledged and recognized it takes courage to be a priest today.

“Courageously live your priesthood by courageously living the gospel,” he said. “Remember that you're not alone. You have the prayers and support of your brother priests, deacons, the faithful and me, your Bishop. And of course, the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.”