Bro. Peter DiTomasso Professes Final Vows
 and Is Ordained to the Diaconate

     Superior General Fr. Salvatore Izzo received the perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and perseverance professed by Bro. Peter DiTomasso on October 6, 2005 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Linwood, New Jersey.  The occasion coincided with a canonical visitation by Fr. Izzo to the American communities.  Family, friends joined community members in joyfully welcoming Bro. Peter as a perpetually professed member of the congregation.  Bro. Peter, a native of Brooklyn, New York joined the community in 2001 and received his  Master of Divinity degree in  2004 from Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD.

Bro. Peter DiTomasso (kneeling) receiving the
blessing on ordination to the Diaconate from
Bishop Kevin Rhoades.

Bro. Peter DiTomasso professes vows to
 Superior General, Fr. Salvatore Izzo.

On Saturday, October 15, 2005, Very Reverend Kevin Rhoades, Bishop of Harrisburg presided at Bro. Peter’s  ordination to the Diaconate at St. Mary’s Church in Fairfield, Pennsylvania which is staffed by the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts.  During the ceremony, Bishop Rhoades expressed his joy at sharing in this important step toward the priesthood for Deacon Peter. He shared with those attending that before becoming Bishop of the Harrisburg Diocese, he had been part of Deacon Peter’s formation at Mt. St. Mary’s where he formerly served as Rector.

 Deacon Peter will assume the pastoral duties as a Deacon at St. Mary’s and St. Rita’s parishes and will assist in pastoral care at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, PA and will work with the Chaplain at South Mt. Rehabilitation Center counseling troubled youth.