By Elizabeth Lowe
Twenty-eight years ago, Shari Boric had a dream that God asked for her firstborn son, James. She took that as a sign that James, who was 7 at the time, was going to become a priest.
“I used to tell James that someday he was going to be a priest,” said Boric, 58, who resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. “He said ‘no’ for a long time and he wouldn’t get close to priests for fear that he was going to be a priest.”
Of course, eventually he said ‘yes’ to God’s call. Deacon James Boric is one of five men who will be ordained to the priesthood June 21 during a 10 a.m. Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.
Deacon James Boric is being ordained to the priesthood today. (CR file)
Their ordination is the culmination of years of training and pastoral work in parishes in the archdiocese.
“I think the seeds were planted by Jesus himself,” Boric said. “I think he called him when he was 7.”
She is elated for her son’s ordination.
“This is a great gift from God, a blessing to us all and I couldn’t be more proud of James,” Boric said. “There really aren’t words that can describe how I’m feeling, to have a priest in the family. God called this young man and it’s just awesome.”
Mary Ann Langan, the mother of Deacon Joseph Langan, called her son’s ordination a “blessing.”
“The first word that comes to mind is blessed, very blessed that God has chosen him for this vocation,” said Langan, 65, a parishioner of St. John in Westminster.
Deacon Joe Langan stands with Monsignor Art Valenzano after receiving his first Communion.
(Courtesy Langan family)
(Courtesy Langan family)
She isn’t surprised her son discerned a vocation to the priesthood. As a child, Deacon Langan was involved at St. John, the parish where he was baptized, received his first Communion and was confirmed.
“I could see it kind of starting in middle school, but I don’t think he actually realized it until he graduated high school,” Langan said. “I think it was always in the back of his mind.”
Deacon Joe Langan celebrates his confirmation with Monsignor Art Valenzano. (Courtesy Langan family)
She expects attending her son’s first Mass, at 2 p.m. June 22 at St. John, will be emotional.
“It’s going to be a little surreal to see him up on the altar, changing the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ,” Langan said. “People are excited for us and excited for him. That makes your joy and your enthusiasm even stronger.”
In addition to Deacons Boric and Langan, Deacon Ross Edward “Ned” Conklin Jr., Deacon Andrew DeFusco and Deacon Canisius Tah will also be ordained. The men were ordained as deacons May 18, 2013, their final step before becoming priests.
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