Years of preparation, study and discernment all led up to one sacred moment for three men as they were ordained the newest Paulist priests May 19 at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City.

Bishop Walter A. Hurley of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mich., presided over the ordination of Rev. Mr. Richard R. Andre, CSP; Rev. Mr. Rene I. Constanza, CSP; and Rev. Mr. Thomas C. Gibbons, CSP.

“We build on the foundation of one another …,” Bishop Hurley said during his homily. “The ministry of Isaac Hecker alive, even though it has changed to meet the needs of our time and culture, which presents its own unique challenges. The ministry of the priesthood is valid no matter what challenges our time and our culture finds for us …

With incense in the air, Rev. Mr. Rene I. Constanza, CSP (left), Rev. Mr. Thomas C. Gibbons, CSP, and Rev. Mr. Richard R. Andre, CSP (right) are presented to Bishop Walter Hurley of Grand Rapids, Mich., as candidates for priestly ordination during the May 19 ordination liturgy. (Photo: Stefani Manowski)

“We ask the Lord to be with us and with you as you advance to the order of the priesthood,” the bishop said.

The warm spring day in New York City was the perfect backdrop as the sun shone brightly on this holy event. Inside St. Paul’s, hundreds packed wooden church pews as the church choir and pipe organ hailed the coming holy event during five-minute procession of clergy.

After the Gospel reading, Paulist President Father Michael B. McGarry presented the three ordinandi to Bishop Hurley as candidates for the priesthood. On behalf of the entire Church, Bishop Hurley then chose the trio for the Order of Priesthood. The congregation expressed their consent with applause that thundered through the expansive church.

The Rite of Ordination continued with the ordinandi promising to preach the Gospel and explain the faith worthily and wisely, to celebrate the liturgy of the church faithfully, pray continually for the people and live a life of holiness.

Bishop Walter Hurley of Grand Rapids, Mich., lays hands on Rev. Mr. Richard R. Andre, CSP, during the May 19 ordination Mass. (Photo: BruceByers.com)

Each man then placed his joined hands between those of the bishop as he promised respect and obedience to the bishops in the dioceses where he will serve and to his religious superiors.

Bishop Hurley then invited all to pray for the bestowal of heavenly gifts upon the three men, now lying prostrate in front of the altar as the Litany of Saints commenced.

The bishop then laid his hands on the head of the ordinandi as a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit for the priestly office. The laying on of hands by Bishop Hurley was followed by all of the Paulists gathered, signifying the men’s incorporation into the Paulist priesthood.

Bishop Walter Hurley of Grand Rapids, Mich., lays hands on Rev. Mr. Thomas C. Gibbons, CSP, during the May 19 ordination Mass. (Photo: BruceByers.com)

Then, with hands extended, Bishop Hurley offered the prayer of ordination: “Grant, we pray, Almighty Father, to this, your servant, the dignity of the priesthood; renew deep within him the Spirit of holiness; may he henceforth possess this office which comes from you, O God, and is next in rank to the office of bishop; and by the example of his manner of life, may he instill right conduct.”

The three newly ordained Paulist priests were then invested with the priestly stole and chasuble. Father Andre was vested by Father Larry Rice, CSP, and Father Richard Colgan, CSP; Father Constanza by Father John Behnke, CSP, and Father Frank DeSiano, CSP; and Father Gibbons by Father Steve Bell, CSP, and Father John Collins, CSP.

Bishop Hurley then anointed the new priest’s hands with Holy Chrism as a symbol of their distinctive participation in the priesthood of Christ, and the bishop handed each new priest a chalice containing wine mixed with water and a paten filled with bread.

Bishop Hurley then offered the newest Paulists a kiss of peace, sealing the reception of his new co-worker in priestly ministry. The Liturgy of the Eucharist then proceeded with the gifts of bread and wine brought forth by one family member of each ordinand.

Bishop Walter Hurley of Grand Rapids, Mich., lays hands on Rev. Mr. Rene I. Constanza, CSP, during the May 19 ordination Mass. (Photo: BruceByers.com)

The Paulists gathered in a circle around the baptismal font at the back of the church after the Mass, as the bishop escorted the new priests into the center of the crowd with enthusiastic applause.

Father Andre celebrated his first Mass at St. Paul’s at 10 a.m. on May 20, followed by Father Constanza’s first Mass at 12:30 p.m. Father Gibbons celebrated his first Mass at noon on May 20 at St. Peter’s Church in Manhattan.

Father Andre’s first priestly assignment will be as associate pastor at Blessed John XXIII University Parish in Knoxville, Tenn. Ordination is just the beginning for Father Andre.

Rev. Mr. Richard R. Andre, CSP, Rev. Mr. Thomas C. Gibbons, CSP, and Rev. Mr. Rene I. Constanza, CSP, kneel in front of the altar as thier Paulist brothers lay hands on their heads as a sign of welcome into the Paulist priesthood. (Photo: BruceByers.com)

“This is the culmination of many years of discernment, challenges, growth, and love,” said Father Andre, who hails form Pittsburgh and was an optical engineer before becoming a Paulist. “But more than that, it’s one of those cosmic moments of life when the past, the present, and the future combine into something beyond words … I hope to spend the rest of my life giving away the gifts that I’ve received from God,” he said.

Father Constanza, a former high school principal in his native Belize, will take up his post as associate pastor at St Austin Church in Austin.

“I am very grateful to my friends, family and Paulist brothers who were with me on this joyous occasion and to all others who accompanied me in spirit,” Father Constanza said. “I am looking forward in accompanying others in the joys and sorrows of their lives. Journeying with the people of God with the message of resurrection not only brings consolation, hope and joy to the life of others but it also strengthens our relationship with Christ.”

Newly-ordained Father Richard Andre, CSP, is embraced by Paulist President Father Michael B. McGarry during the ordination Mass May 19 as Bishop Walter Hurley of Grand Rapids, Mich., (left) looks on. (Photo: BruceByers.com)

Father Gibbons will head north to Toronto to serve as associate pastor at St. Peter Church. Before entering the Paulist novitiate, Father Gibbons was a web developer at Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore.

“I really liked the American identity in the mission of the community,” said the New Jersey native. “The Paulists have a very important perspective to bring to the church today that is not found in a lot of places.”

Newly ordained Father Rene I. Constanza, CSP (left), Father Thomas C. Gibbons, CSP, and Father Richard R. Andre, CSP (right) stand beside Bishop Walter Hurley of Grand Rapids, Mich., after the ordination Mass May 19. (Photo: Stefani Manowski)

Father McGarry said he looks forward to seeing each of his newly ordained Paulist brothers grow in their priestly ministry.

“Each of them has unique gifts that will be great contributions to the Church and to the Paulist community now and into the future,” Father McGarry said. “This sacred moment marks the beginning of their priestly journey. We are blessed and grateful to have them as our Paulist brothers, and look forward to seeing them fully engage their new assignments where they will serve God’s people.”