Archdiocese of Hartford Ordination Held on Saturday

HARTFORD, CT - Many of the Archdiocese of Hartford attended the ordination to the priesthood of John Gancarz and Anthony Federico on Saturday, June 22 at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford.

The two new priests for the Archdiocese were ordained by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair.

Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish is excited to welcome newly ordained Father Anthony Federico as the new parochial vicar.

This welcome was posted on the St. Bridget Facebook page:

"May [Father Federico] and Father John Gancarz be blessed in their share of the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ. Welcome Father Federico."

Rev. Christopher M. Ford of Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Woodbridge was a part of the ordination in Hartford on Saturday; it was his third ordination Mass of the year.

Congratulations to Our Newly Ordained Priests

Father John Gancarz grew up in Suffield, Connecticut and attended Sacred Heart Church. He says he never considered himself a candidate for the priesthood and was more of a “math and science guy.” In college he got involved in campus ministry at Boston University. He says, “I started reading the gospels more and realized Jesus is a man I wanted to model my life on.” During his first year of graduate school he began to consider the priesthood. He felt drawn to the Archdiocese of Hartford so after completing his master’s degree he entered the formation program and was sent to St. John Seminary in Massachusetts. In 2015 he began studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Father Anthony Federico attended Catholic schools and graduated from Notre Dame High School in West Haven and Providence College. After graduating he landed his “dream” job at ESPN and worked there for seven years. His spiritual life began to intensify after leaving ESPN. He began attending daily Mass at the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist. He noticed the lines for confession were so long that often the priest would have to leave the confessional to begin Mass. He thought “Lord, we could have two lines of confession going at the same time if we only had more priests.” He realized that Jesus was calling him to the priesthood but he was afraid to take the next step. Despite his fears he entered the Theological College at Catholic University. He says about his ordination: “I’m on the adventure of a lifetime, and I feel so privileged the Lord has invited me to participate in his priesthood, knowing all of my past, my weaknesses, my failings, and also my gifts.”

(excerpts from the June issue of the Catholic Transcript)

Fr. John Gancarz has been temporarily assigned to Saint Jeanne Jugan Parish in Enfield. Fr. Gancarz will return to Rome to continue his studies in the fall. Please continue to pray for these men as they begin their ministry as priests, and for all vocations.