December 23, 2009

Blessed John XXIII seminarians instituted to acolyte

On Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell, D.D., of the Diocese of Springfield, Mass., conferred the ministry of acolyte on 17 men, including two seminarians from the Archdiocese of Denver, Ronald W. Cattany and Michael J. Hillebrand, during a Mass. Cattany had a 35-year career with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and served as mineral, energy and natural resources advisor to four governors.

Hillebrand was a pilot for 27 years, flying for several major airlines. Acolytes by their office in the Church are special ministers of the Eucharist. Blessed John XXIII National Seminary is located in Weston, Mass.