PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence was blessed with three new priests on June 26 when Fathers Adam A. Young, Joseph R. Upton and Derek J. Puleo were ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presided as ordaining bishop; Bishops Robert C. Evans, Robert E. Mulvee, Louis E. Gelineau, Ernest B. Boland, O.P., Francis X. Roque, and more than 100 diocesan and religious order priests concelebrated.
Father Young, the son of Renee and Mark Young, is a member of St. Francis de Sales Church, North Kingstown; Father Upton, son of Joseph and Patricia Upton, is a parishioner of St. Paul Church, Cranston; and Father Puleo, son of Mrs. Carlotta Puleo, is a member of St. Maria Goretti Church, Pawtucket.
Music was provided by the Gregorian Concert Choir and Orchestra, directed by Msgr. Anthony Mancini, with Philip Faraone serving as organist.
During the Election of the Candidates, the three priest candidates were called forward by Deacon Stephen Dandeneau and presented to Bishop Tobin by Father Michael Najim, diocesan director of vocations. Once the worthiness of the candidates was confirmed, they were formally “elected” or chosen by the bishop for ordination to the presbyterate, and the congregation signified their consent by replying “Thanks be to God” and offering enthusiastic applause.
In his homily, Bishop Tobin reminded the new priests that the consecrated are set apart — not set above — the people of God and that they were “chosen to serve all the rest” and lead prayerful lives of sacrifice.
“It’s a serious commitment, a lifelong commitment,” the bishop continued. “The priesthood is a gift that must be received with humility.” Bishop Tobin told the priests that their ordination came at a very important time in diocesan history — during the year-long Year of Evangelization. “Keep the spirit of evangelization alive in your ministry,” he emphasized. “Go to your people in the name of the Lord. Take good care of God’s people entrusted to you.” Bishop Tobin instructed the newly-ordained to “preach the Word of God fearlessly, to visit the sick and show compassion” for those who grieve.
“God’s people are very precious,” he continued, reminding the priests that the spiritual well-being of the faithful has been placed into their consecrated hands.
In closing, Bishop Tobin urged the three new priests to always place their trust in the Blessed Mother, who the bishop emphasized will continue to offer her protection and will lead them to Jesus Christ. Seminarian Christopher Murphy, a third year theology student at St. John Seminary, Brighton, Mass., praised the three new priests for being good role models for others discerning God’s call to the priesthood.
“All three of them are wonderful men,” Murphy said. “My first meeting with them was very important. It was my introduction to men who were studying to be priests.”
Carlotta Puleo described her son’s ordination as “the greatest gift that he could have ever given me.” She added that Father Puleo has wanted to be a priest since childhood. “He has a wonderful life ahead of him,” she remarked. “A new chapter has opened.”
Renee Young said that she was proud of her son’s many accomplishments since the day he entered Our Lady of Providence Seminary in 2002. “I cannot put it into words,” she exclaimed. “I am so proud of him. He wanted God and God wanted him.”
Father Young’s mother recalled that her son started to show an interest in the priesthood at the age of 14. “I knew he was choosing to serve God,” she noted.
Mark Young noted that Father Young was always a “good boy and very compassionate. “I haven’t been this proud since the day he was born,” he said. “It feels good to be this happy.” Like the other parents, Patricia Upton was filled with joy. “This was the culmination of many long years of prayer, preparation and study,” she said. “God has been so good to our family and we are so proud.”
One special gift that Father Upton received for his ordination was a “special” chalice from his friend and mentor, Father Randolph Chew, pastor of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth.
“Let’s call it a promise fulfilled,” said Father Chew. “Father Upton was an altar server and later sacristan at St. Paul’s, Edgewood, when I was assigned there in 1997.” The young man turned to the priest one day while setting up for Mass and asked, “If I’m ever ordained a priest, can I have your chalice?” Father Chew replied “oh, sure” and never gave the request another thought.
“Little did I realize that Joe would keep me to the promise when he was ordained a deacon last year and was looking forward to his ordination this year,” he added. According to Father Chew, the chalice has great personal sentiment and a special history. It was presented to him by a former priest, Bill Hartman, with whom he had been stationed at St. Joseph Church in Newport in 1978.
The priest presented the chalice in memory of a friend — Jeff Tabor — who drowned while fishing in Newport Harbor.
“Bill gave me his chalice ‘in memory of Jeff Tabor — faithful friend of Jesus’ and I’ve used it ever since until giving it to Father Joe Upton on the night of his ordination,” said Father Chew. “Hopefully, Father Upton will continue to pray for Jeff and me whenever he uses the chalice.”
