The Roman Catholic Church in NH​ Welcomes Two To The Priesthood

MANCHESTER, NH — Bishop Peter A. Libasci ordained Rev. David A. Harris and Rev. Matthew J. Schultz to the priesthood at St. Joseph Cathedral in Manchester on Saturday, June 3, 2017, according to a press statement.

Harris is a parishioner of Saint Theresa Parish in Rye Beach, and is the son of Dr. Michael and Mrs. Andrea Harris. He grew up in Rye and attended Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover. He is a 2005 graduate of Providence College. For the past year, he has served as a transitional deacon at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Rochester and at Saint Leo Parish in Gonic. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. He was vested at ordination by Fr. Paul Gousse, and celebrated his first Mass at Saint Theresa Parish in Rye on Sunday, June 4.

Schultz is a parishioner of Saint Patrick Parish in Nashua, and is one of 13 children of Michael and Jane Schultz. He grew up in Norwich, NY, and attended Norwich High School, then earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Dallas. For the past year, he has served as a transitional deacon at Saint Joseph Cathedral. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. He was vested at ordination by his brother, Fr. James Schultz, and celebrated his first Mass at Saint Joseph Cathedral on Sunday, June 4.

“This is a moment of profound spiritual joy for me, and for all the Catholic faithful in New Hampshire," Libasci said. These two young men will, as the psalmist says, ‘take up the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord,’ and lay down their lives for the salvation of souls through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. I hope that all Catholics throughout our state will join me in praying for Fr. Harris and Fr. Schultz as they begin their new lives as priests, and in praying for an increase in the numbers of men who will also follow God’s call.”

The Diocese of Manchester currently has 12 men preparing for the priesthood at seminaries in Boston, Providence and Orchard Lake, Michigan.

For more information about vocations to the priesthood and religious life, visit CatholicNH.org/Vocations.

Caption: Fr. David Harris, Bishop Peter Libasci, Fr. Matthew Schultz. Credit: Jeff Dachowski

Submitted by Tom Bebbington