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)
On Saturday, May 16, during Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Bishop David Walkowiak ordained Noah Thelen as a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The faithful of the diocese rejoice as we welcome Deacon Noah as the newest member of the clergy in our diocese!
ORDINATION MASS COVERAGE: Watch video of the Mass (Facebook) | View Mass photos (Flickr)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ordination Mass was celebrated privately, and made available to the public via livestream.
Deacon Noah I. Thelen, 26, is the son of Rex and Gwen Thelen and has three siblings: Alex, Schaefer and Clara. He is a member of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Grand Haven. He attended Grand Valley State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in 2014.
Deacon Noah will begin 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 2021. He completed his pastoral internship at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Ionia and St. Edward Parish in Lake Odessa, under the mentorship of Father Thomas J. Brown.
Please keep Deacon Noah in your prayers as he continues this next part of his formation for priesthood.
Watch video: Noah’s vocation story (Our Shepherds, Our Future)
Holy Land Pilgrimage: Listen to podcasts, read reflections from Noah’s time in the Holy Land (Mundelein Seminary)
Read a reflection: from Noah on Migrant Ministry (St. Francis de Sales Parish website)
Learn more about:
Ordination of Priests on June 6
Priestly vocations and formation
The Our Shepherds – Our Future capital campaign
Diaconate formation
Communities of women and men religious serving in our diocese
