With great joy, Bishop Walkowiak ordained Deacon Charles Leidel, Deacon Logan McGahan and Deacon Hunter Ostapowicz to the priesthood for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on June 20. The ordination Mass took place at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids.
View photos in the gallery below:
Meet our new priests:
Father Charles W. Leidel, 28, is the son of Craig and Shannon Leidel. He has eight siblings: Father Samuel, Anne, Mary Claire, Kathleen, John, Virginia, Evelyn, and Thomas. Father Charlie is a member of the Basilica of St. Adalbert in Grand Rapids. He credits Father Joseph Mary, CSJ, and Father Robert Sirico for fostering his vocation through their examples of priestly fatherhood.
Father Charlie was ordained a transitional deacon on Dec. 20, 2025. He received his Master of Divinity from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, in fall 2025. He completed his pastoral internship at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Wyoming. Following his ordination to the transitional diaconate, he served as a deacon at the parish. Father Charlie Brown served as his mentor for both formation experiences.
Father Leidel celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 21, at 8:30 a.m. at the Basilica of Saint Adalbert, 654 Davis Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.
Father Charlie has been appointed parochial vicar of the Shrine of Saint Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, beginning July 1.
Father Logan M. McGahan, 29, is the son of Theresa and Brian McGahan. He has three siblings: Kristi, Tyler and Makayla. Deacon Logan is a member of St. John Paul II Parish in Cedar Springs. He credits Father Phong Pham, Father Troy Nevins, and Father Lam Le for fostering his vocation through their examples.
Father Logan was ordained a transitional deacon on Dec. 20, 2025. He received his Master of Divinity from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, in fall 2025. He completed his pastoral internship at the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Grand Rapids under the mentorship of Father Mark Peacock. Following his ordination to the transitional diaconate, he served as a deacon at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Rockford under the mentorship of Father Dominic Couturier.
Father McGahan celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 21, at 1 p.m. at the Parish of the Holy Spirit, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids.
Father Logan has been appointed parochial vicar of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Rockford, beginning July 1.
Father Hunter D. Ostapowicz, 29, is the son of Mark and Melissa Ostapowicz. He has one sister, Riley. Father Hunter is a member of the Basilica of Saint Adalbert in Grand Rapids. He credits many of the pastors from the westside of Grand Rapids along with Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC, for fostering his vocation.
Father Hunter was ordained a transitional deacon on Dec. 20, 2025. He received his Master of Divinity from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, in fall 2025. He completed his pastoral internship at Our Lady of Consolation in Rockford under the mentorship of Father Dominic Couturier. Following his ordination to the transitional diaconate, he served as a deacon at the cluster parishes of St. Catherine in Ravenna, St. Francis Xavier in Conklin, and St. Joseph in Wright under the mentorship of Father Andrew Ayers.
Father Ostapowicz celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Basilica of Saint Adalbert, 654 Davis Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.
Father Hunter has been appointed parochial vicar of the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Grand Rapids, beginning July 1.
Please pray for our newly ordained and our seminarians as they continue to respond to the call to serve the Lord and his people.
Learn more about:
Priestly vocations and formation
The Our Shepherds – Our Future capital campaign
Diaconate formation
Communities of women and men religious serving in our diocese