On Saturday, April 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus, Bishop Patrick M. Neary, C.S.C., conferred the Order of the Presbyter through the ancient Christian sign of the laying on of hands and the prayer of the Church to Rev. Mr. Thomas James “T.J.” Groden, C.S.C., and Rev. Mr. Christopher Nicholas Mulholland, C.S.C.
“This is a beautiful day, not only in nature but especially in this holy place, this Basilica,” shared Bishop Neary at the beginning of Mass. “Today our joy is increased because we are here to ordain two of our brothers in Holy Cross to the priesthood, and you have come from near and far to be here today.
“We pray in a special way that they can be filled with the joy of Christ, come to his Sacred Heart, and through their witness and through their preaching, and through their teaching and through their administering the sacraments of the Church, they can draw many more people to the light and love of Christ and to his Sacred Heart.”
Father Groden is from Glenview, Illinois. During formation, he served as Assistant Rector in Dillon Hall at the University of Notre Dame; served at Our Lady of the Road in South Bend, Indiana; supported Notre Dame’s Campus Ministry Short Course (OCIA) Program; provided chaplaincy care at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, Indiana; and led youth ministry at St. Joseph’s Parish in South Bend, Indiana. His summer placements included parish ministry in Jalchatra, Bangladesh; Spanish language study in Puebla, Mexico; an internship with University Relations at the University of Portland; service at My Brother’s Keeper in Easton, Massachusetts; and pastoral ministry at Christ the King Parish in South Bend, Indiana.
“As a priest, I hope to be a faithful steward of God’s mysteries and a generous and zealous worker in the Lord’s vineyard. In the words of Fr. Jacques Dujarié, the founder of the Brothers of St. Joseph, ‘I am a priest to be the consolation of the widow, the father of the orphan, the support of the poor, and the friend of those who suffer.’ In Holy Cross, we stand with Our Lady of Sorrows at the foot of the cross and help those entrusted to our care to bear the crosses of their lives,” said Groden.
Mulholland hails from Atchison, Kansas. While in formation, he assisted with religious education at St. Mark Parish in Niles, Michigan; volunteered with Catholic Charities and the Marian House in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a winter placement at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin, Texas; served in youth ministry at St. Adalbert Parish in South Bend, Indiana, and later continued at the same parish, assisting with the Spanish language Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA); provided pastoral care through Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame; and served as the Assistant Director of Old College, the Congregation’s undergraduate seminary.
“I tell the couples I have been preparing for marriage as a deacon, ‘This is a big year for both of us!’ It truly is. What was once far off is somehow now days away. I can only pray that the graces packed into this weekend will remain with me so I can continue to examine them one by one for years to come,” said Muholland. “As a priest, I hope to go where Christ sends me and to let his life grow in me. ‘Let them see you, Lord’ is what I pray.”
In his remarks, Bishop Neary talked about how Christ chose ordinary men to be his disciples and apostles. He applauded the two men on their impressive accomplishments, noting that it wasn’t those accolades that got them to this place but being chosen by Christ.
“As Christ said, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit that will last.’ These simple, ordinary men chosen to be apostles by Christ in turn chose their successors, the bishops, by the laying on of hands, who are to exercise Christ’s role as teacher, as priest, and shepherd,” said Bishop Neary. “The church stresses that priests are the co-workers of the order of bishops, with whom they are joined in the priestly office. Our priesthood exists for one reason: That is to serve the priesthood of the faithful of God, the priesthood of all believers. They are the reason we serve as priests. We know for Blessed Basil Moreau, our founder, that the key virtue in his priests, brothers, and sisters was zeal. As he wrote, ‘By zeal is understood that flame of burning desire which one feels to make God known, loved, and served,’ and thus saves souls. Our zeal is always guided by charity. Everything is done with strength and gentleness.”
During the homily, Bishop Neary discussed the importance of strength and gentleness in a priest’s ministry. He highlighted the historical legacy of the Sacred Heart within the Congregation of Holy Cross under the guidance of Moreau and lived out through the work of Brother Columba O’Neal. Each man was invited to combat the tragedy of the parts of the world that don’t know God’s love through their preaching, celebration of sacraments and participation in the Eucharist.
“So, may your hearts, T.J. and Christopher, always beat in time with the heart of Christ. And may you experience many years of joy and fulfillment in your service as priests of Holy Cross. Already I look forward to your 25th anniversary when I’ll be a spry 88 years old,” said Bishop Neary. “Know of our deep love, support and prayers for you both. May St. Brother Andre Bessette, Blessed Basil Moreau, Brother Columba O’Neal, and all the Holy Cross saints in heaven intercede for you always.”