Three deacons will be ordained to the priesthood on May 21

Bishop Edward Malesic will ordain three transitional deacons to the priesthood for service to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland during a Mass at 10 a.m. May 21 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. The liturgy will be livestreamed on the diocesan website.

Those to be ordained are:

• Joseph Daniel Menkhaus Jr. of St. Monica Parish in Garfield Heights, son of Joseph and Christy Menkhauus of Cuyahoga Heights.
• Scott Edward Swinerton of St. Mary of the Falls Parish in Olmsted Falls, son of David and the late Sharon Swinerton of Olmsted Falls.
• David Michael Verbsky of St. Mary Parish in Chardon, son of William and Sharyl Verbsky of Mentor.

The three men have been studying and undergoing priestly formation at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe. They were ordained as transitional deacons a year ago by Bishop Malesic and have been ministering in diocesan parishes since then. All three also received master of divinity degrees and two – Deacon Menkhaus and Deacon Verbsky – also earned master of arts (theology) degrees from the seminary during last week’s commencement.

As priests, they will be configured to Christ through the sacrament of holy orders. Diocesan priests serve the diocese under the direction of the local bishop. Most serve in parishes of the diocese but they may also be assigned to other positions.