Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. Alleluia.
(Introit, Rite of Ordination to the Order of Deacons)
Congratulations and blessings to our diocese’s new transitional deacons, Deacon Christopher Epplett and Deacon Jacob Zemaitis!
On Saturday, May 21, during Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Bishop David Walkowiak ordained Christopher Epplett and Jacob Zemaitis as transitional deacons for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The transitional diaconate, typically a year long, is the pastoral, liturgical and educational preparation period before ordination to the priesthood.
The ordination Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. on May 21 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 301 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI. The public was welcome to attend. The Mass was also livestreamed on Facebook and on the diocesan website.
ORDINATION MASS COVERAGE:
Watch Mass video (Facebook)
Watch Bishop Walkowiak’s homily (YouTube)
View Photo Album (Flickr)
Meet the newly ordained:
Deacon Christopher Epplett
Deacon Christopher T. Epplett, 38, is the son of Thomas and Mary Epplett. His siblings are Wendy, Delores, Tommy (deceased), Rebecca, Roberta, Joel, Jason, Ken and Tim. He is a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Spring Lake. He attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 2006. He has worked in parish pastoral ministry for 11 years. Christopher will enter his final year of seminary studies and formation at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, this fall, and is expected to receive his Master of Divinity in spring 2023. He completed his pastoral internship at St. Luke University Parish in Allendale under the mentorship of Father Bill Vander Werff.
Deacon Jacob Zemaitis
Deacon Jacob M. Zemaitis, 28, is the son of Mark and Marilyn Zemaitis. His siblings are Daniel and Laura. He is a member of St. Joseph Parish in Wright. After attending Coopersville High School and Grand Valley State University, he entered St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 2019. Jacob will enter his final year of seminary studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, this fall, and is expected to receive his Master of Divinity in spring 2023. He completed his pastoral internship at Holy Spirit Parish in Grand Rapids under the mentorship of Father Mark Peacock.
Please keep Christopher and Jacob in your prayers as they continue this next part of their formation for priesthood.
Learn more about:
Ordination of Priests on June 4
Priestly vocations and formation
Formation for the Permanent Diaconate
Communities of women and men religious serving in our diocese
