Father Matthew DeGance, S.D.B., and Father Michael Leschinsky, S.D.B., will ordained priests on July 2, 2011, in the church of Our Lady of the Valley in Orange, N.J. THEY WILL BE ORDAINED BY A SALESIAN BISHOP-- Bishop Luc Van Looy, bishop of Ghent, Belgium, and former vicar general of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Over 40 priests are expected to concelebrate.
Both newly ordained men did their novitiate year in New York City in 2000-2001 and made their first profession of religious vows there on August 16, 2001.
Father Matthew DeGance, 34 years old, is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville with a bachelor's degree in physical therapy. He began working as a therapist after graduation.In 1999 he enter the Salesian formation program at Orange, N.J. After some years of postnovitiate formation at Orange, Brother DeGance was assigned to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey from 2005 to 2007. He taught biology and theology, directed an intramural sports program, was an assistant coach of varsity, JV, and freshman volleyball, and contributed to the school's campus ministry program.
From the fall of 2007 until June 2011 Father DeGance studied theology at th Salesian Theological School in Jerusalem. He took full advantage of his closeness to the biblical holy places and the opportunity to connect the Scriptures with his daily life experience. He enjoyed the international flavor of the school, which draws students and faculty from more than 20 countries. He was also a talented tour guide for Salesians visiting from other parts of the world.
Father Matt is a prayerful and athletic young Salesian priest! He finds that being a consecrated Salesian is "a great gift" from God, one that he would encourage any young person to accept without fear.
Father Matt's first assignment as a priest will be as a teacher at Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, La. Congratulations all of you Salesians living around Shaw High School -because you have a real DON BOSCO- coming your way!
Father Michael Leschinsky did four years of theological studies at Seton Hall University's Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, N.J., completing a master of divinity degree in 2011. He will be assigned as a teacher at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, N.Y.
Father Mike is 35 and was born in Youngstown, Ohio. While attending Bowling Green State University, earning a degree in secondary English education, he felt a call to the religious life. Wanting to work with young people, he looked into the Salesians and discovered what he calls "an authentic spiritual family." He spent several summers working in a Salesian camp, getting to know Don Bosco and his educational methods and Salesian devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
After postnovitiate formation at the Salesian community in Orange, N.J., Brother Michael carried out his years of practical training at Salesian High School in New Rochelle and Don Bosco Retreat Center in Haverstraw-Stony Point, N.Y.
Father Mike Leschinsky says he wants to seek God while living and praying in community, serving the young in the spirit of Don Bosco, and striving to do good together with many other apostolic people. He will be doing just that as he begins his new apostolic work at Salesian High School in New Rochelle. So congratulations to all of you in the Bronx and Westchester, NY-because Fr. Mike will be hanging around near you!
We thank God for these two great young priests!
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