Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - Deacon has the heart of a servant
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Deacon has the heart of a servant Faye Roch Editorial Assistant |
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When Deacon Josh Lange is ordained into the priesthood on May 30, as the first alumnus of Bishop Brossart High School to be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Covington, it will not be to the surprise of his former classmates.
As a student at Bishop Brossart Deacon Lange was very involved in the formation of his faith, even being recognized during his senior year on World Youth Day by the Diocese of Covington as a leader in his community. Not only was he senior class president, he was active in planning school liturgies, was morning prayer coordinator and actively served his home parish of St. Mary in Alexandria as a server, Eucharistic minister and leader of Children's Liturgy of the Word. He and fellow seminarian Ian McDole, also a Bishop Brossart classmate, collaborated together in writing a column for the Messenger entitled "Lenten Lamentations.”
"Pretty much throughout my whole life I had the inkling I wanted to be a priest," Deacon Lange said. "In high school everyone knew I was going to be a priest — they even called me ‘Father Lange.’"
Deacon Lange is one of four seminarians to be ordained by Bishop Roger Foys as priests for the Diocese of Covington in ceremonies at the Cathedral on May 30 at 10 a.m. All are invited. Also to be ordained are Deacon Matthew Cushing, Deacon Robert Rottgers and Deacon Lawrence Schaeper.
During his discernment as a youth, Deacon Lange and his family became friends with a newly assigned priest at St. Mary, Father Michael Barth, now pastor at St. Philip Church, Melbourne. For Deacon Lange Father Barth is not only a good friend but a mentor.
"Right away I admired him. I thought he was a good priest," says Deacon Lange. "He became a good friend of my family and we have stayed friends. He is one who has walked on the journey with me the entire time."
After graduation from Bishop Brossart, Deacon Lange attended Thomas More College and earned a degree in history. Upon graduation he entered St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. When he became unsure of his calling, he remembered how he made the decision to leave the seminary and return to the "real world." But he soon discovered that his original path was the one he was meant to follow.
"After I left the seminary I realized how deep my yearning was to be back in the seminary and nothing was filling that void to be in my life. This time (away) made me realize how important it was for me to be on the track toward the priesthood because nothing else fulfilled me that way."
After meeting with Bishop Foys, he returned to the seminary to continue his studies at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.
Bishop Foys' leadership has played a significant role in Deacon Lange's formation. "Bishop Foys is a spiritual father to me. He is wonderful — he gets to know each of us on a personal level and walks with each of us on our vocation journey."
As he has pursued his dream of being a priest, his summer parish assignments and internship have affirmed in his heart that he truly was on the right path to his lifelong goal.
"Working with the people is what really affirms me. Probably the biggest affirming event was my internship. That was the point where I knew I could do this. When I am with the people, digging in and working, that is when I feel like I am where I need to be. It is very rewarding."
As an only child Deacon Lange is grateful to his parents for their sacrifices and support.
"My parents have always supported me, no matter what I have wanted to do," says Deacon Lange. "They knew I was called to be a priest, and they have been supportive of my decision."
Three weeks before ordination Deacon Lange is filled with excitement and joy that his dreams are being fulfilled. He looks forward to serving the people of the diocese and thanks them for all they have done for him.
"To the people of the diocese, I want to thank you for your support and prayers over the years."
The day after his ordination, May 31, Deacon Lange will celebrate a first Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish, St. Mary, with many family members and friends in attendance. Father Barth will offer the homily.
"This is the fruition of a long journey so it is exciting to becoming to the end," says Deacon Lange, who is spending his next weeks in the midst of final exams and saying good-bye to the many friends he has made over the last four years at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary.
As he approaches his ordination, he reflects on a favorite Bible passage, about the good shepherd.
"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)
"That means a lot to me because that is what I am trying to do — to give my life to help others live their life of faith, to be a servant of the servants and to lead and shepherd, (to offer) leadership by service."