Excitement builds as two men prepare to be ordained priests

Sometimes God works through persistence – even a sense of humor.

That’s been the experience of Deacons Benjamin Boyd and Matthew Capadano, who said they were pursued patiently and lovingly by God – and now they are ready to be ordained to the priesthood at 10 a.m. June 7 at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

Archbishop George J. Lucas will preside, the public is invited and a reception will be held in the Cathedral Cultural Center.

Deacon Boyd said that over the years he questioned and even resisted his calling, and asked for reassuring signs that the priesthood was the right path for him. In one way or another God always responded, he said.

One such incident occurred before he entered the seminary, while driving on business in Bloomington, Ill. Feeling doubtful and anxious, he asked God to tell him in some way if he was meant for the priesthood, Deacon Boyd said.

"Turning a corner I saw a street sign: ‘Seminary Avenue,’" he said, laughing. "Things like that kept happening. The Lord just patiently pursued."

Deacon Capadano said he recalled as a seventh-grade altar boy admiring then-associate pastor Father Damien Cook celebrating Mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha and thinking "I could do that someday."

But little thought of the priesthood returned until he was in college, attending a nondenominational Bible study group to stay close to a fellow student he was dating. The Bible study and relationship helped spark increased interest in the church – and led him away from the vocation of marriage to the priesthood, he said.

Now, Deacon Capadano said, "I’m really looking forward to being married to the church."

Father Paul Hoesing, the archdiocese’s director of vocations, said Deacons Capadano and Boyd discerned their calling by being open to Christ’s voice – in the silence of prayer and the encouragement of others.

"Our vocation is God’s stable plan for us," he said. "Receiving our vocation starts with receiving God’s love. We listen for a life filled with love."

Both deacons said years of prayer, schooling and working in ministries such as youth groups, hospitals, nursing homes and parishes have prepared them well for the next step.

"It’s been a long journey," Deacon Boyd said. "I’m excited."

Biographical information about the two deacons:

Deacon BENJAMIN BOYD

» Background: Home parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Omaha. Parents, Joseph and Linda of St. Wenceslaus Parish, Omaha; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeff and Denise of Omaha, and Kevin and Alex of Westborough, Mass.; and sister and brother-in-law, Jodi and Jay DeBoer of Lincoln.

» Education: St. Patrick High School, North Platte, Neb.; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Conception Seminary College, Conception, Mo.; Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis.

» Activities/ministries: Youth group minister, hospital and parish ministry, religious education and Habitat for Humanity, all in Missouri; Institute for Priestly Formation summer program and St. Ignatius spiritual exercises (30-day silent retreat), both at Creighton University, Omaha; college campus evangelization trip, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.; mission trip, Chachaguala, Honduras; Spanish language immersion, Queretaro, Mexico; last summer assignment, St. Patrick Parish, O’Neill.

Deacon MATTHEW CAPADANO

» Background: Home parish, St. Cecilia, Omaha. Parents, Harry and Mary, also of St. Cecilia Parish; sisters, Elizabeth and Katherine, all of Omaha.

» Education: Creighton Preparatory School, Omaha; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Conception Seminary College, Conception, Mo.; Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

» Activities/ ministries: Nursing home and prison ministry; ministry work at St. Patrick Parish in O’Neill; campus ministry with Mount St. Mary University, including leading retreats for men and women, giving talks and helping with a nondenominational Bible study; teaching Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes; working two summers at Holy Name Parish, Omaha; two summers in charge of a camp and retreat for fifth- through eighth-graders; last summer assignment, St. Columbkille Parish, Papillion.