Deacon Robert Lee Jones was ordained to the Presbyterate by Archbishop William C. Skurla in the chapel of SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary on Thursday, Aug. 26 during the opening Divine Liturgy for the new academic year.
Concelebrants were the priests of the Seminary faculty and staff: Very Reverend Robert M. Pipta; and Reverend Fathers Valerian Michlik, Christiaan Kappes, Joel Barstad, Ivan Chirovsky and Kevin Marks (Vocations Director).
Very Reverend Andrew J. Deskevich and Reverend Father Paul V. West served as masters of ceremonies, and Very Reverend James Spontak and Reverend Father Will Rupp were also in attendance.
Seminarian Nathan Tapsack was the cantor, and the other seminarians participated as altar servers.
A brunch followed the ordination.
In his homily, Archbishop William Skurla mentioned the parable of the mustard seed, noting that from such a small seed a great tree would grow. He compared this to the man of small stature whose ministry would also be effective in enabling growth.
Having been prepared for the priesthood by his four years of study and formation at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, newly ordained Father Robert anticipates graduation with the Master of Divinity Degree this coming Autumn. He and his wife Elizabeth are members of St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa.
