By Fr. Ray Douziech, C.Ss.R.
On September 03, 2020, Alfredo Medina-Ramos was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Robert Kasun, CSB, auxiliary Bishop of Toronto in a moving ceremony at St. Patrick’s National Shrine Church. Even though protocols were in place because of the pandemic, these did not take away from the celebrative mood, the solemnity yet intimacy of the ceremony.
With the adept master of ceremonies, Fr. Paul Dobson, all the elements of the ordination were flawlessly choreographed. Dr. Robin Williams played the pipe organ with Amado Amarante as the soloist. The formation house provided the reader and altar servers (Benedict Nicholas as reader, Noel Bustillos, Andrew Phillips and Mark Suezo as altar servers). Fr. Charles Duval, the provincial, called Alfredo to the altar while Fr. Ray Douziech declared the worthiness of Alfredo to be raised to this sacred order.
The Redemptorists were well represented. We were scattered throughout the church with appropriate social distancing and masks. In all there were 14 Redemptorists from St. Patrick’s community and from the House of Formation. Office staff from the Formation House and St Patrick’s and Lay Associates were dispersed through the pews as were a good number of parishioners. Alfredo had invited some friends from the Spanish parish, San Juan Bautista, as well as the pastor Fr. Jose David Peres Florez. Fr. David had given Alfredo an alb and a beautiful deacon stole as a gift from the parish.
Alfredo’s family could not come but Alfredo was thrilled to hear that his mother, siblings and their families did gather to watch the ordination live-streamed through Facebook. Gabriel Ciang did the videography while Noel Oco provided ample photos for great memories.
All in all, the day turned out to be impressive and unforgettable. We all rejoice with Alfredo that his long journey to priesthood has finally come this far. He is well prepared for the office of deacon and is ready to be of service to the Church and the Congregation here in Canada. Deacon Alfredo begins ministry in St. Mary’s Parish in Saskatoon on October 1, 2020.
The Ordination Mass can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zHI6jzD1FpNN_x6xktIX0_5riSh3K42E/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=5f5196fe