May 27, 2008

BISHOP WILL ORDAIN TWO FOR PRIESTHOOD

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will ordain two transitional deacons to the priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn at a Mass in St. James Cathedral Basilica in Brooklyn on Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m.

The Bishop will administer the Sacrament of Holy Orders to Deacon James Rodriguez, 26, born in Jackson Heights, and Deacon Patrick H. Longalong, 27, a native of the Philippines. They recently completed theological studies in preparation for ordination at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I.

Deacon Rodriguez, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Valentin Rodriguez, is a graduate of Blessed Sacrament School, Jackson Heights; Holy Cross High School, Flushing, and New York University.

He entered the formation program at the Cathedral Residence of the Immaculate Conception, Douglaston, while in his sophomore year in college and says he first began thinking of a vocation to the priesthood in high school.

In between his second and third years at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, he spent his pastoral year at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Jamaica. He has also served on weekends at Our Lady of Solace Church, Coney Island.

Deacon Rodriguez has a cousin, Father Serafin Marte, recently ordained, who serves in the parish of Sagrado Corazon in Sabana Iglesia, the Dominican Republic.

Deacon Longalong, born in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines, is the son of Benedicto and Amparo Longalong. He came to this country in 1993.

He was educated at Francisco Benitez School, Makati, the Philippines; Parsons Junior High School, Flushing; Francis Lewis High School, Fresh Meadows, and St. John’s University, Jamaica. He began the formation program at Cathedral Residence as a student at St. John’s.

Deacon Longalong, who served his pastoral year at Blessed Sacrament Church, Cypress Hills, has had musical training and has studied music theory. He plays the piano and organ and composed the alma mater for Francis Lewis High School.

His older brother, Michael A. Flores, is a second-year postulant for the Capuchin Franciscans in the Philippines.

As Father Longalong, he will return to Blessed Sacrament Church in Cypress Hills to celebrate his First Mass on Sunday, June 8, at 3:30 p.m. Msgr. Thomas G. Caserta will preach the homily and the concelebrants will include Fathers Francis T. Shannon and Peter D. Gillen. A parish reception will follow.

Father Rodriguez will celebrate his First Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jackson Heights, on Sunday, June 8, at 1 p.m. Father Bryan D. Patterson will preach the homily and the concelebrants will include Msgr. Raymond W. Kutner and Fathers Steven A. Ferrari, Christopher M. O’Connor and Michael J. McHugh. A parish reception will follow.

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