‘Come, follow me’

Father Daniel Cooper ordained a priest by Bishop Mark Beckman

By Bill Brewer

The solemnity of Corpus Christi was observed with extraordinary sacredness at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 6 as Bishop Mark Beckman ordained Daniel Cooper to the priesthood during a Mass that drew scores of people from across East Tennessee to the cathedral to celebrate the newest member of the Diocese of Knoxville presbyterate.

Love and support for Father Cooper were abundant on his ordination day as two busloads and many carloads of parishioners from his first assignment—St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade—helped fill the cathedral to witness the special occasion as the 65th priest ordained for service in the Diocese of Knoxville since its founding in 1988 said “Yes” when God said “Come, follow me.”

And that love and support from the parishes that spiritually nourished him as he converted to Catholicism in 2018 also were apparent. Father Cooper began his faith journey to the Catholic Church and then the priesthood at St. John Neumann in Farragut and then continued it at St. Albert the Great in Knoxville. Contingents from those parishes also were on hand to watch Father Cooper profess his priestly promises.

And St. Albert the Great was where Father Cooper celebrated his first Mass—his Mass of Thanksgiving—on June 7.

Bishop Beckman was the celebrant for the ordination Mass, which was concelebrated by nearly 50 priests serving in the diocese, including vicar general and moderator of the curia Father Peter Iorio, judicial vicar and vice chancellor for canonical affairs Father David Carter, vicar for priests Father Michael Cummins, and episcopal vicar for special administration Father David Boettner. Chancellor Deacon Sean Smith and more than 35 deacons and religious also took part.

Also concelebrating was Father Guerric DeBona, OSB, director of spiritual formation and an instructor of homiletics at St. Meinrad Seminary, who has led Father Cooper and a number of Diocese of Knoxville priests in spiritual formation.

Deacon Shawn Ballard, who serves at St. John Neumann, was deacon of the Word for the Mass, and Deacon Mike Eiffe, who serves at St. Albert the Great, was deacon of the altar. Deacons Hicks Armor and Walt Otey served as masters of ceremonies.

Cathedral director of music and liturgy Glenn Kahler conducted the choir of vocalists and instrumentalists, including organist Ryan Seaver and cantors Sarah-Clementine Mire, Michelle Pokelwaldt, and Dylan Fink.

Also taking part in the Mass were Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, who provided the honor guard, and Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Father Cooper began his ordination Mass as Deacon Cooper after having been ordained to the transitional diaconate in November at St. Albert the Great. But that designation would soon change.

“It is indeed a day of great joy as we gather to celebrate the ordination to the presbyteral order of Deacon Daniel Cooper. It is a joy, I know, for you, Deacon Daniel, but also for our whole diocese, a rejoicing in the Lord’s call as He has called you to this moment in time,” Bishop Beckman said to begin the Mass.

Deacon Cooper selected the two readings for the Mass. The first, from the Book of Numbers, was proclaimed by Dorothy Curtis. And the second, proclaimed by Sister Elizabeth Wanyoike, ESM, was from the Letter to the Hebrews. The Gospel proclaimed by Deacon Ballard was from St. Luke.

Answering with a ‘Yes’

To initiate the ordination liturgy, Deacon Smith called forth the ordinand, saying, “Let the one who is to be ordained a priest come forward, Daniel Cooper.” Deacon Cooper answered “present.”

Father Mark Schuster, diocesan director of vocations, then addressed Bishop Beckman.

“Most Reverend Father, Holy Mother Church asks you to ordain this man, our brother, to the responsibility of the priesthood,” Father Schuster said.

Bishop Beckman responded, “Do you know him to be worthy?” And Father Schuster replied, “After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with his formation, I testify that he has been found worthy.”

The bishop then said, “Relying on the help of the Lord God and of our savior, Jesus Christ, we choose this, our brother, for the order of the priesthood.” The congregation then replied in unison, “Thanks be to God.”

Bishop Beckman began his homily, directed primarily to Deacon Cooper, and in his remarks the bishop cited the readings chosen by the ordinand.

“It is so fitting this weekend as we ordain you, Daniel, to the priesthood that we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi as a Church. This is the weekend when we remember that the Lord Himself dwells with us sacramentally in a very particular way in the gift of Himself, His body and blood given for us. And just as the Lord God called Levites and sons of Aaron to serve in that most sacred Tent of Meeting, so the Lord God depends upon the hands and words and voice—the very person of priests—so that gift may continue in the Church today,” Bishop Beckman said.

“We are reminded, Daniel, and you selected well these readings, that the priests who are chosen are not chosen because we are perfect, not because we are flawless, but as Hebrews puts it eloquently today, because we are beset by weakness. We, too, can understand the weaknesses of our people,” he continued. “Daniel, I believe just as the Lord intentionally prepared to journey with His people and solemnly prepared for the gift of Himself at that Last Supper, that He has also chosen you with intentionality.”

The bishop emphasized to Deacon Cooper, all the priests, deacons, and religious in attendance as well as the congregation that God dwells in the midst of His holy people and that priests have a special responsibility in serving the sacred mysteries.

“Every moment of your life up until this point, I believe the Lord has been preparing you for this ‘Yes,’ not because you are perfect but because you, too, like the rest of us are beset with weakness. It is the Lord who accomplishes beautiful things in us despite our human flaws, weaknesses, and failures. It’s a humble reminder as we are sent to serve the people of God that God’s intentionality works with us where we are on our journey through life,” Bishop Beckman said to the ordinand.

“So, Daniel, your call to serve the sacred mysteries includes the sacred holy ones of God, to care for their souls. From the moment they come into this world and they come to the Church requesting baptism until that moment when you celebrate their final funeral liturgies and burials, it is the people of God bearing the presence of God’s Spirit that you are called to serve.

“And the Lord makes it so clear today that the Spirit in which we do that is one of humble service. The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. What a beautiful mystery: God dwelling with us, His people, and the necessary and indispensable role of the priest in that great dwelling of God. Daniel, thank you for your ‘Yes’ to the Lord, and may God, who has begun this beautiful and good work in you, bring it to fulfillment through Christ our Lord. Amen,” the bishop said to conclude his homily.

Priesthood promises

Following the homily, the rite of ordination continued as the ordinand made his promises of the elect to Bishop Beckman.

Deacon Cooper promised “to discharge unfailingly, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the office of priesthood in the presbyteral rank, as a trustworthy co-worker with the order of bishops in feeding the Lord’s flock”; “to carry out the ministry of the Word worthily and wisely in the preaching of the Gospel and teaching of the Catholic faith”; “to celebrate the mysteries of Christ reverently and faithfully according to the tradition of the Church, especially in the sacrifice of the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation, for the praise of God and the sanctification of the Christian people”; “to implore with us the mercy of God for the people entrusted to you, with zeal for the commandment to pray without ceasing”; and “to be united more closely each day to Christ the high priest, who offered Himself for us to the Father as a pure sacrifice, and with Him to consecrate yourself to God for the salvation of all.”

Deacon Cooper answered “I do” to the first four questions from the bishop, then “I do, with the help of God,” to the final one. He also promised “respect and obedience” to Bishop Beckman and his successors.

The bishop then said, “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.”

The ordinand then prostrated himself before the altar for the Litany of the Saints as the choir sang the invocations and the faithful responded. He then knelt before the bishop, who laid his hands on and prayed the prayer of ordination for him.

All the priests attending also laid their hands on the head of Father Cooper, who then was invested with his stole and chasuble by Father Iorio.

In the next step, Bishop Beckman anointed the hands of the new priest with holy chrism.

“May the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, guard and preserve you, that you may sanctify the Christian people and offer sacrifice to God,” the bishop said.

He placed the bread and a chalice in the hands of Father Cooper as he knelt before the bishop.

“Receive the oblation of the holy people, to be offered to God,” Bishop Beckman said. “Understand what you will do, imitate what you will celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.”

The bishop gave a greeting of peace to the new priest, as did the concelebrating priests.

Father Cooper assisted Bishop Beckman in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The chalice used at the altar was a gift to Father Cooper from Monsignor Patrick Garrity, who guided the new priest into the Church and into his vocation.

The new priest then joined Bishop Beckman in distributing Communion to the congregation.

As the Mass concluded, Bishop Beckman said, “I want to take a moment to congratulate Father Daniel. Welcome to our presbyterate!”

The bishop’s welcome prompted a rousing cathedral ovation for Father Cooper.

“I want to take a moment also to recognize that his grandmother is with us. Thank you so much for your presence here and for the gift of your grandson,” the bishop said.

Bishop Beckman then recognized the nearly 200 people from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade who attended the Mass. Father Cooper has been serving St. Francis of Assisi as a deacon for several months since he completed his studies at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana late last year.

“As a new priest, he will continue his service to you, the people of God. One of the reasons I wanted him to go to your parish was that I knew that you would love him well,” the bishop told the Cumberland County parishioners.

That announcement drew hearty applause from the parish faithful.

Bishop Beckman then asked if he could be the first one to receive a blessing from the new priest. Father Cooper gladly obliged.

The clergy, religious, and congregation then followed Father Cooper to a reception in his honor in Cathedral Hall, where a long line of faithful formed to receive a blessing from St. Francis of Assisi’s new associate pastor.

Roland Wicker and his wife were among the St. Francis of Assisi members attending the Mass and said they were present “because of our love for Father Daniel.”

“As a deacon, he was very represented in the church. He was always willing to help out the people such as when he took a two-hour shift to help the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive. Everybody loves him. He’s a genuine person,” said Mr. Wicker, who has actively served in the parish and the diocese for 21 years.

“When we heard he was going to be the associate there, everybody clapped, the whole church. Everybody is excited to have him there,” he added. “We love Father Michael (Woods) and the two of them have been working well together. They will make a nice team.”

Father Cooper’s grandmother, Cindy Cooper, who lives in Knoxville, said she was proud of her grandson and how hard he has worked to become a priest.

“Daniel is the type of person who always wants to be perfect. He works very hard. And he has worked very hard to get here,” she said. “I knew Daniel was going to take the religious road.”

 

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Photography of the ordination to the priesthood of Father Daniel Cooper on June 6 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was by Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey as a gift to Father Cooper and the Diocese of Knoxville from Monsignor Patrick Garrity.