Bishop Ron Hicks to ordain two priests for the Diocese of Joliet on Saturday, May 22, 2021
Bishop Ron Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet will ordain two men to the priesthood at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet. The Ordination Mass is by invitation only for in-person attendees and will be livestreamed on the diocese’s YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/FbXssavIIVk.
“I love being a priest,” said Bishop Ronald A. Hicks. “It is my hope that these candidates for ordination to the priesthood — my first as the bishop of Joliet — experience as much joy and fulfillment as I do in following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.”
Men become priests through the sacrament of holy orders, a celebration rich in symbolism and tradition. By ordination, priests receive a wide variety of responsibilities, particularly celebrating the Mass and granting forgiveness of sins through the sacrament of reconciliation. Priests also preach the Gospel, and celebrate the sacraments of baptism, matrimony, and anointing of the sick. Diocesan priests make promises of life-long celibacy, prayer for the people of God, and obedience to their bishop at their ordination. It is also expected that priests will lead a life of simplicity consistent with the people they serve.
ORDINANDI
John Ronaldo Gabutan Abulag, 52, of Plainfield, was born in Talisayan, in the province of Misamis Oriental, in the Philippines, the son of Rodolfo Rodrigo Sanchez Abulag and Marlita Rosales Baldo Gabutan (deceased). He has six brothers and two sisters.
He obtained a bachelor of sacred theology degree (S.T.B.) from Recoletos School of Theology at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, as well as a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Gingoog City Junior College, Philippines.
He is a perpetually professed brother of the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolate and is a member of the Legion of Mary.
His assignment at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet will begin on July 1. He will celebrate his first Mass as a priest at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 23 at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield.
Sam Conforti, 64, of Lombard, was born in Chicago, the son of Aldo and Eleanor Conforti (both deceased). He obtained a Master of Divinity degree in 2021 from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. He previously earned a law degree from Loyola University Chicago; a master’s degree in international business and a master’s in business administration, both from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla.; and a bachelor’s in business administration from Loyola University Chicago.
His assignment at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mokena will begin on July 1. He will celebrate his first Mass as a priest at noon on Sunday, May 23 at Christ the King Parish in Lombard.
