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Two men ordained priests for archdiocese

Bishop Lawrence Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, ordained two priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 17, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St. Father Cristian Garcia, 33, from Chicago, is now serving at St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Rolling Meadows and Mount Prospect. Father Kevin Menard, 37, from Arlington Heights, is serving at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago. Men become priests through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a celebration rich in symbolism and tradition. By ordination, priests receive a wide variety of responsibilities, particularly celebrating the Mass and granting forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests also preach the Gospel, and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Diocesan priests make promises of life-long celibacy, prayer for the People of God, and obedience to their bishop at their ordination. It is also expected that priests will lead a life of simplicity consistent with the people they serve. (Karen Callaway and Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Kevin Menard, 37, from Arlington Heights, and Cristian Garcia, 33, from Chicago, sit near their families before the Rite of Ordination begins. Bishop Lawrence Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, ordained two priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 17, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Garcia and Menard receive the applause from the assembly and Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General Lawrence Sullivan after completing the Promise of the Elect. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Father John Kartje, rector and president of University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, Bishop Lawrence Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Father Francis Bitterman, vice rector and dean of formation for the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, pray as the priests-elect lay prostrate during the Litany of Supplication. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Cristian Garcia (left) and Father Michael Menard (right) lie prostrate as a sign of humility during the Litany of Supplication. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan lays hands on newly ordained Canon Kevin Menard. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Priests lay hands on Menard and Garcia. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Father Timothy Monahan, vocations director, lays hands on Garcia. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Priests standing behind the altar pray after the laying on of hands. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Priests vest Menard and Garcia. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Canon Regular Father Joshua Caswell, superior general of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, vests newly ordained Canon Father Kevin Menard. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan anoints with chrism oil the hands of newly ordained Canon Father Kevin Menard. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan presents the chalice to Garcia. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan congratulates Fathers Menard and Garcia during the kiss of peace. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Menard receives the kiss of peace from Father Francis Bitterman, vice rector and dean of formation at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Garcia hugs Bishop Mark Bartosic during the kiss of peace. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Sullivan elevates the Eucharist while concelebrating Mass with, from left, Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop Robert Bartosic and Menard. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Oblate Sister of Jesus the Priest Guadalupe Lopez accepts Communion from Garcia. The sisters serve at Holy Name Cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Menard and Garcia distribute Communion. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Kartje provides closing remarks and thanks. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Menard and Garcia offer their first blessings to Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General Lawrence Sullivan. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Members of the congregation cheer and greet newly ordained Fathers Menard and Garcia as they process out of Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Menard offers first blessings to Fathers Carlos Rodriquez and Christopher Landfried. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Garcia bestows blessings following Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Garcia gives a first blessing to 4-year-old Yael Ramon Gomez immediately following Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)
Canon Menard offers a first blessing to Quinn Huston, a former confrere, following ordination. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

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