To watch the ordination live, visit the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Facebook page or aod.org. The Mass will be rebroadcast on the Catholic Television Network of Detroit (CTND) at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27; 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 29; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30; and 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 31.
Deacon Christopher Muer
Age: 30
Parents: David and Mary Lou Muer
Education: Defer Elementary, Pierce Middle School and Grosse Pointe South High School (Grosse Pointe); Ferris State University (Big Rapids; bachelor’s in construction management, 2010); Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Home parish: St. Clare of Montefalco, Grosse Pointe Park
Masses of thanksgiving: St. Clare of Montefalco, Grosse Pointe Park (11 a.m. May 20); Guardian Angels, Clawson (June 3, time TBA)
First assignment after ordination: Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Waterford
Hobbies: Outdoors hiking, camping, hunting, woodworking and building/repairing items
What were you doing before you entered the seminary?
Before I entered seminary I was working in the construction field as a project coordinator for a year and a half following obtaining my degree in construction management from Ferris State University in 2010.
Briefly describe your route to the priesthood.
When I was growing up, my family attended Mass weekly, I was an altar server, and my great uncle was a priest for my home diocese. I also played CYO sports, attended faith formation, was in the high school youth group and helped out with Vacation Bible School.
Despite all of my involvement with the Church, my faith had yet to become mine. It was the summer before entering college that my faith started to become mine. I started to ask the question, “What does my faith mean to me, and why am I Catholic?” While attending Ferris State University, I started to explore this question by getting involved with the Newman Center, attending retreats, serving at Mass and attending Bible studies.
It was during a holy hour before the Eucharist in adoration my sophomore year of college that I first felt a strong call to look at the priesthood. Over the next two years, I was praying and discerning entering seminary. I attended two discernment weekends. I graduated and worked for a year before applying and being accepted to seminary for the fall 2011 semester. It has been seven years of seminary, and I am very thankful for the many blessings I have received from the Lord during my time in seminary. I am excited to see what He has in store for me in my ministry in the priesthood.
What pastoral learning experiences made the greatest impact on you?
One of the greatest pastoral learning experiences for me was my yearlong internship in the parish. During my year in the parish, I was able to see what diocesan priesthood looked like. I was able to serve at Mass, help out with the sacramental life of the parish and journey with the people of God in their faith. This year also helped greatly with my discernment of my vocation to the diocesan priesthood.
What excites you the most about becoming a priest?
What makes me most excited about becoming a priest is being able to help others grow closer to Christ through the sacraments, especially through the Eucharist and reconciliation.
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing the Church today? What do you see as the solution to that challenge?
One of the greatest challenges facing the Church today is the fact that many people have not had a deep experience and encounter with Jesus Christ. Many people also do not think that they need faith or religion in their lives. This is typically in part due to the fact that they have not had a real experience of the presence of God. One solution is helping people encounter God through shallow entry points: spiritual reading, daily Scripture reading, rosary, Bible studies, etc.
What saint has been your greatest inspiration and why?
Living in Detroit, Blessed Solanus Casey has been a great inspiration. Other saints include St. John Vianney and St. Augustine. Blessed Solanus Casey struggled with his academic studies, and so did I. His example of humility and persistence has been an inspiration to me.
How do you hope to answer the call of the New Evangelization in your priestly ministry?
I plan to answer the call of the New Evangelization in my priestly ministry by trying to make it accessible to all ages and generations. The New Evangelization is not a call for just a few, but rather is a call for all of us. We are all called to evangelize, to share Christ with others and to help others grow in their faith and use their faith to engage the world around them.
Deacon Mark Andrew Livingston
Age: 41
Parents: Mark and Linda Livingston
Education: Our Lady of Grace Elementary School (Dearborn Heights), Divine Child High School (Dearborn); Wayne State University, Detroit (Bachelor of Arts, economics); University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Master of Social Work); Sacred Heart Major Seminary (Bachelor of Philosophy, Master of Divinity, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology through The Angelicum in Rome)
Home parish: St. Pius X, Southgate
Masses of thanksgiving: St. Pius X, Southgate (3 p.m. May 20); St. Augustine, Richmond (6 p.m. May 26); St. Sabina, Dearborn Heights (11 a.m. May 27); Holy Family, Memphis (4:30 p.m. June 2); Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington (1 p.m. June 3)
First assignment after ordination: St. John Neumann Parish and All Saints School, Canton
Hobbies: Bicycle riding, playing ice hockey, reading, watching sports, playing guitar
What were you doing before you entered the seminary?
I worked for many years in business and health care, particularly in analytics, management and even direct patient/client care (social work). Immediately before entering the seminary, I worked in administration (analytics) for Oakwood Healthcare System in both Quality Management and Service Excellence. I loved the job and the people with whom I worked, but I felt strongly called by God to pursue the priesthood.
Briefly describe your route to the priesthood.
I first thought of becoming a priest when I was about 14 years old. In high school, however, I was convinced that I wanted to get married. Although priesthood was still in the back of my mind, I ignored the idea. When I was in my 20s, I earned a degree in economics and worked in corporate finance/ taxation. I began to fall into a worldly lifestyle.
After attempting unsuccessfully to “go it alone,” I started to turn back to God and the Catholic Church. Following a remarkable conversion experience through the rosary and the Blessed Virgin Mary, an Irish Pallottine priest, Fr. Brendan Walsh, helped me greatly by re-introducing me to Jesus and our faith. It felt good to be home! I joined St. Pius X Catholic Church, in Southgate. The pastor, Fr. Bob McCabe, eventually invited me to consider the priesthood. After Father’s invitation, the Lord began to make it clear that he was calling me.
One night, my brother and I were out for dinner and I jokingly said to him, “If God wants me to be a priest, I hope he makes it crystal clear; I mean crystal clear.” The waitress — on cue — approached and said, “Hi, my name is Crystal and I’ll be taking care of you this evening.” Hilarious! That wasn’t the deciding factor, of course, but God made His will known to me in many funny, simple and even incredible ways. I eventually applied to the seminary and was accepted! Thanks be to God!
What pastoral learning experiences made the greatest impact on you?
While many personal encounters and ministry stories have touched my heart, the greatest moments have happened while praying with people in the moment. By calling on the Lord and entrusting peoples’ challenges and hopes to the Lord, I have witnessed incredible changes in people on the spot! God is alive and well, and He wants to work in our lives right now! He always shows up with peace, healing and strength when we pray to him together with great confidence.
What excites you the most about becoming a priest?
I am very excited about everything! I can’t wait to hear confessions and extend God’s mercy, offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, visit and anoint the sick, continue leading adoration, baptizing, witnessing marriages, presiding at funerals, preaching, praying with people, and accompanying people in their highs and lows! I love evangelizing and teaching. I’m excited to see what God wants to do at my first parish assignment!
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing the Church today? What do you see as the solution to that challenge?
“Be not afraid!” I think the greatest challenge facing the Church today involves trust in God. There are many external challenges facing the Church today: life issues, religious liberty, marriage, etc. We do not have to be afraid because we’re not alone. We can do all things in Christ who strengthens (Phil 4:13). Is confidence in Jesus our strength? Is constant dialogue with God in prayer an integrated part of our daily lives? We are made for relationship with Him! So, “cast all your cares on Him because he cares for you.” He can take it.
What saint has been your greatest inspiration and why?
The Blessed Virgin Mary being in a category all her own, I’d have to say St. Joseph! He was/is a hard-working, obedient and docile man, ready to hear God’s voice and do his will. I’ve learned a lot about humility — turning to God in all things and doing whatever He tells you — from him. St. Joseph has also been an effective intercessor and friend, securing many answered prayers and helping me successfully complete many projects!
How do you hope to answer the call of the New Evangelization in your priestly ministry?
I hope to take the advice and follow the example of the Holy Family: listen to God in constant prayer and do whatever He tells me. I want to actualize the New Evangelization vision outlined by Archbishop Vigneron in Unleash the Gospel, especially collaborating with parishioners in the process of dialoguing with God in prayer, discerning His will and making it happen.
Deacon John A. Maksym
Age: 56
Parents: Anthony S. Maksym (deceased) and Dr. Jeanne Maksym (deceased)
Education: Montessori School, Academy of the Sacred Heart; St. Ambrose; St. Louis; St. Angela; St. Germaine; Austin Catholic Preparatory (closed junior year); University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (Class of 1979); University of Michigan (B.G.S. 1983); Detroit College of Law (J.D. 1986); Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary (M.Div. 2018)
Home parish: St. Ambrose, Grosse Pointe Park
Masses of thanksgiving: St. Ambrose, Grosse Pointe Park (11:15 a.m. May 20); St. Linus, Dearborn Heights (June 3); Holy Childhood of Jesus, Harbor Springs (date TBD); St. John the Evangelist, Hopkinton, Mass. (September 2018, date TBD); Franciscan Chapel Center, Tokyo, Japan (January 2019, date TBD)
First assignment after ordination: St. Joseph Parish, Lake Orion
Hobbies: Golf, skiing and watching Michigan football
What were you doing before you entered the seminary?
I was a litigation attorney, a trial judge and a Court of Appeals judge. I am a retired Commander in the U.S. Navy having served for 31 years. I served all around the world, including a tour in Iraq.
Briefly describe your route to the priesthood.
I felt the call to priesthood at a very early age (about six or so). Throughout my life I had Augustinian, Jesuit and diocesan priest mentors who played an important role in my life. Once I began to date women, my vocation found a comfortable spot on the back burner, but the Holy Spirit is tenacious and after many years I found that I simply needed to follow God’s call in order to live the life He intended for me.
What pastoral learning experiences made the greatest impact on you?
I have found internships in a hospital and in a diocesan tribunal setting compelling experiences. Hospital ministry permits one to witness the efficacious impact of grace upon those who are seriously ill or near death. Working at the Tribunal permitted me to realize the beautiful desire of those who have divorced and entered into a civil marriage, to receive Eucharist again — quite often the primary motivation for the submission of an application for annulment. Yet, as exciting as these experiences have been, the pastoral experience that has had the most significant impact on me is baptizing infants. I have testified before Congress, flown off an aircraft carrier, served in a war zone and presided over many of the most significant cases in modern Navy legal history — yet none of these wonderful experiences was a fraction as important and wonderful as the first time I baptized a child in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
What excites you the most about becoming a priest?
I am most looking forward to assisting the people of God entrusted to me by Archbishop Vigneron into closer friendship with Jesus Christ. This undertaking takes on so many forms; solid catechesis, effective homiletics, and a vibrant and life-changing experience of the sacraments — most especially Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation.
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing the Church today? What do you see as the solution to that challenge?
I think the greatest threat facing the Church today is a most unhealthy form of secularism promoted by the media and accepted by many young people as the norm. More and more God and his Church are deprecated in the public square. When I was in grade school it would have been unthinkable that we would permit our unborn infants to be slaughtered, our elderly people to be placed in oftentimes unsanitary and uncomfortable nursing homes only to be forgotten or that as a society we would permit the dangerous tearing of the social fabric that is so-called same-sex “marriage.” Yet, there is a craving for God and for the truth with which the Church that Christ personally created while on earth has been entrusted.
What saint has been your greatest inspiration and why?
St. John Fisher of England. John Fisher was the bishop of Rochester during the reign of Henry VIII of England. He was literally the only prelate in England to stand up in the House of Lords — standing no more than 25 feet from the monarch who broke with Rome — and told him that he had no authority over the pope and that the Church could not properly carry out the mandate of Christ without being in communion with the See of Peter. For me, he represents all the best aspects of bravery, personal integrity and honor as well as fidelity to the teachings of the Christ.
How do you hope to answer the call of the New Evangelization in your priestly ministry?
Over time, I hope to serve as an effective conduit through which the people of God will become empowered to “encounter, grow and witness” as articulated in Unleash the Gospel. To put things in nautical terms, I hope to serve as a sound spiritual navigator while realizing that in the main, it will be the laity who will be bringing the message of Christ’s mercy, kindness, selflessness and compassion into their workplace, their family lives and to their friends. The diocesan priest must be stationed at the spiritual field hospital on the front lines of life — countering unhealthy secularism and relativism while carrying the salvific message of Jesus the Christ.
