Four enter final preparation for priesthood

A Candidacy Mass was held at Saint James the Apostle Church in Springfield on Sunday, Dec. 10 for four men preparing for the priesthood at the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, was the Mass celebrant.

Admission to Candidacy is an intentional and grace-filled beginning of a man’s final period of preparation for the priesthood. The ritual of admission includes a public affirmation by the “candidates” for holy orders. These four men will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate in the spring of 2024, and through God’s will, they will be ordained to serve as priests in the coming years.

The candidates for the Archdiocese of Newark are Giovanni Cussiol, Michael Bollinger, and Raymond Walsh. Carlos Penagos is a candidate for the Diocese of Paterson.

(Pictured in the feature image from left to right are: Deacon Michael DeRoberts; Michael Bollinger; Giovanni Cussiol; Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark; Carlos Penagos; and Raymond Walsh.)