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Ordination to the Priesthood: Father Merkley, Father Schnurr & Father Trindade

Date posted on May 21, 2019

On May 4, 2019, the Diocese of Hamilton gained three new priests! Father Gregory Merkley, Father John Schnurr, and Father Vivek Trindade were ordained priests for service in the Diocese of Hamilton at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King by Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI.

Following a breakfast among seminarians, priests, and guests who helped them along their way, Father Michael King, Director of Vocations, prayed: “set their hearts on fire for love of your people, and pour out on them the gifts of the Holy Spirit… may they be powerful proclaimers of your Word.” Witness talks followed, where each ordinand spoke about their own personal call to the priesthood.

Father Gregory Merkley recalled how the desires of the priesthood grew throughout college through attending Adoration. He remarked that, at that moment, he felt a “great sense of peace, but also that something big is about to happen. Something life-changing.”

Father John Schnurr echoed the sentiment of something “bigger than himself” while praying in the Cathedral the night before, looking at the window of the Mysteries of the Rosary and how he will be incorporated into those mysteries as well.

Father Vivek Trindade spoke of his encounter with Jesus thirty years ago and the quote: “Give your life to God. He can do more with it than you can.” He encouraged those gathered there to “never stop examining the image of God that you have.”

At 11 o’clock in the morning, the pews of the Cathedral Basilica were full to witness the Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood. During the Homily, Bishop Crosby urged them to “be like Christ, the Good Shepherd.” Let us pray that Jesus may be glorified in the ministry and service of these three new priests and all who serve in the name of Christ the Good Shepherd.