Deacon requests prayers as he prepares for ordination to the priesthood

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

“It feels like a big change is coming,” Deacon Joshua Heskamp told the Messenger, in an interview with the Messenger preparing for his upcoming ordination to the priesthood. Having finished his studies as a seminarian, and nearing the end of his year in the transitional diaconate, Deacon Heskamp will be ordained in a public ceremony, June 7, 10 a.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

Additionally, many members of Deacon Heskamp’s family will be participating in the Mass’s liturgy, with his brothers as lectors and his uncle, Father Jeffrey Von Lehmen, pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Taylor Mill, will concelebrant and vest Deacon Heskamp in priestly robes during the ordination.

“The next big step is ordination,” Deacon Heskamp said, “It feels a bit surreal, in a way, moving out of school and into full-time ministry — preparing myself for that.”

“Getting settled in the new life, a new routine of priesthood that’s unfamiliar to me … there’s a lot of unknown there that gives me anxiety, but I trust in the Lord that things will work out for the best in the end,” Deacon Heskamp said, though, in spite of his anxieties, he looks forward to service in the priesthood — and, in particular, through the sacraments.

“Celebrating the Mass, hearing confessions, doing Anointing of the Sick … being able to be an instrument of grace in people’s lives and leading others to Christ” are among the things that he most looks forward to.

As the date approaches, Deacon Heskamp requests the support of prayers from the people of the diocese. “The number one thing I can ask people for is to pray that I may minister with the heart of Christ,” he said, “that the heart of Christ may shine forth out of my priesthood and my ministry, and that I can fully give myself to them — to the people of God.”