Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

  • (Center, foreground to background) Abbot Augustine Myslinski, OCSO, and Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, kneel in prayer as the ordination candidates to the priesthood, (foreground to background) Brother Peter Damian, OCSO, and Brother Cassian Russell, OCSO, prostrate themselves before the altar during the Litany of Saints. The two monks were ordained at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, June 28. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • During the ordination to the priesthood at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, Trappist Brother Cassian Russell, kneeling right, pledges his obedience to Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, and all the bishops who come after him. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Trappist monks and ordination candidates to the priesthood, (foreground to background) Brother Peter Damian and Brother Cassian Russell, prostrate themselves before the altar during the Litany of Saints. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Prior to the prayer of ordination, one by one the priests in attendance lay hands on each ordination candidate, starting with Brother Peter Damian, OCSO. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Prior to the prayer of ordination, one by one the priests in attendance lay hands on each ordination candidate, ending with Brother Cassian Russell, OCSO. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • After the prayer of ordination, Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, presents the paten and chalice to Father Cassian Russell, OCSO, as Father Peter Damian, OCSO, background, far right, waits his turn. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • (Front row, l-r) Joyce Spera from Greensboro, North Carolina, the mother of Father Peter Damian, OCSO, his brother Don from Johns Creek, his sister Mary Eddy from Akron, Ohio, and his brother Dave from Charlotte, North Carolina, join the family of Father Cassian Russell, OCSO, including his sister-in-law Lela Russell from Carmel, Indiana, and her husband and his brother Doug, for the two monks’ priesthood ordination. Father Russsell’s brother, Rick, from Dallas, Texas, was also in attendance. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • The two new priests, front row, center, left to right, Father Peter Damian, OCSO, and Father Cassian Russell, OCSO, stand with their brother clergy for the final prayer and blessing conducted by the main celebrant, Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Both are overcome with emotion as the newly ordained Father Peter Damian, OCSO, extends a blessing to his brother, Dave, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. In the background, the other recently ordained priest, Father Cassian Russell, OCSO, offers a blessing to a woman. Photo By Michael Alexander

(Center, foreground to background) Abbot Augustine Myslinski, OCSO, and Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, kneel in prayer as the ordination candidates to the priesthood, (foreground to background) Brother Peter Damian, OCSO, and Brother Cassian Russell, OCSO, prostrate themselves before the altar during the Litany of Saints. The two monks were ordained at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, June 28. Photo By Michael Alexander

Conyers

Trappist monks ordained to the priesthood June 28

By SAMANTHA SMITH, Staff Writer | Published July 15, 2019

CONYERS—On a warm summer morning on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, family, friends and religious celebrated the ordinations of Brother Cassian Russell and Brother Peter Damian Spera to the priesthood on Friday, June 28, at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers.

The ringing of church bells prior to the Mass marked the joyous occasion. Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, diocesan administrator for the Atlanta Archdiocese, celebrated the ordination Mass. Abbot Augustine Myslinski, OCSO, of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, archdiocesan priests and fellow monks attended.

Deacon John McManus from the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, and Abbot Myslinski presented the candidates to Bishop Konzen, which was met with cheerful applause.

“I am blessed to be here today as I am every time I come to this monastery,” said Bishop Konzen during his homily. “I am pleased to contribute to the life of this community by ordaining two of your brethren to the priesthood,” he said.

The new priests extended blessings to those attending, and gathered with members of the community for a reception following Mass.

Ready to serve

Father Paul Burke, chaplain of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home, and Msgr. Edward Dillon, pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Atlanta, served as teachers for Fathers Russell and Spera as they prepared for ordination. Father Burke described the candidates as being “patulous,” or open, since the beginning of their lessons.

Both are overcome with emotion as the newly ordained Father Peter Damian, OCSO, extends a blessing to his mother, Joyce Spera, a resident of Greensboro, North Carolina. Photo By Michael Alexander

Both of them have the heart of a shepherd and “good pastoral souls,” said Father Burke, who looks forward to the newly ordained serving the spiritual needs of the monastery and assisting as confessors for priests.

Father Spera was looking forward to celebrating Mass and being of service to his community. He celebrated his first Mass on June 29 at the Abbey Church at the monastery.

Today is a “culmination of God’s mercy on me. It’s been a long journey to get to this point. I am in awe,” said Father Spera.

“He’s wanted this for his whole life,” said Joyce Spera about her son.

Even though his father died a couple of years ago, Spera could feel his presence at the ordination, she said.

“It’s just wonderful. I’m overjoyed,” said Spera.

Lela Russell, Father Russell’s sister-in-law from Indiana, believes the day was a “wonderful progression” of his spiritual journey. Father Russell has always had a caring heart, even reading the Bible to his grandfather who was blind, she said.

“I am very delighted. I’m very much at peace,” said Father Russell, who looks forward to sharing God’s graces. “Many people have blessed me.”

Father Russell celebrated his first Mass on June 30 at the Abbey Church.

Father Russell and Father Spera are “ready to pick up the mantle of the Gospel, the mantle of tending the sheep, of feeding the lambs and bridging the continuity of this house from the present moment into the age ahead,” said Bishop Konzen.