THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 47, NO. 36 | MAY 29, 2026
FROM SEMINARY TO SERVICE
Three ordained to priesthood, one to transitional diaconate Story by Moira Cullings
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
From left, Father William Sutherland, Father Robert Rooney and Father John Donart were ordained priests of the archdiocese on May 23 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, Topeka.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Deacon Alexander Rickert (far left) claps along with the archdiocesan priests and the faithful gathered as Fathers John Donart, Robert Rooney and William Sutherland are presented as priests.
T
OPEKA — It was a momentous day for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas as Archbishop Shawn McKnight ordained three priests and one transitional deacon on May 23 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church here. Not even the fire alarm that was accidentally set off near the beginning of Mass could extinguish the spirits of those who packed the church. Just one day before the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s presence
was revealed in more ways than one during the ordination of Father John Wesley Donart, Father Robert Gerard Rooney and Father William Donald Sutherland to the priesthood, and Deacon Alexander Randolph Rickert to the transitional diaconate.
Encouragement from the shepherd It was the first group of men ordained by Archbishop McKnight since he was installed in the archdiocese and
the first time a transitional deacon was, in recent memory at least, ordained alongside the new priests. The Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann and dozens of priests who traveled from near and far for the special day. In his homily, Archbishop McKnight proclaimed how timely it was that the ordination fell in between the Solemnity of the Ascension and Pentecost Sunday. “It is fitting today that we celebrate the sacrament of holy orders in between
these great solemnities that pertain to the mission we have received from Christ risen from the dead and the communion we share in the Holy Spirit,” he said. Archbishop McKnight addressed the four men sitting before him, quoting Brother Charles de Foucald, who said to God in prayer, “Whatever you do with me, I thank you. I am ready for everything. I consent to all.” “This way of living in accord with God’s will demands active and conscious >> See “PRIESTHOOD” on page 8