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May 25, 2016Three Seminarians take one step closer to the Priesthood
(PROVIDENCE, RI) - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has announced that seminarians Stephen M. Battey, Brian J. Morris and Jean Joseph Brice, will be ordained transitional deacons by Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans, on Saturday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence.
Battey, son of Mark and Mary Ellen (Mimi) Battey, of North Kingstown graduated from North Kingstown High School and entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence in 2011 and attended Providence College where he received a B.A. degree in Philosophy. In 2013, he was assigned to continue his seminary formation at St. John Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts. As a seminarian, his summer parish assignments included St. Rocco, Johnston, St. Agatha, Woonsocket and St. Pius X in Westerly. After his diaconate ordination, Battey will serve as a deacon for the summer at St. Margaret Parish in East Providence before returning to the seminary to complete his formation for the priesthood.
Morris, son of John and Mary Beth Morris of East Greenwich, graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School, Warwick and Wake Forrest University in North Carolina where he earned a B.S. degree in Business. He also attended Georgetown University in Washington for the financial planning certification program. In 2011, he entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence and attended Providence College. In 2013, Morris was assigned to St. John Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts to continue his formation for the priesthood. As a seminarian he attended the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and served in several parishes including Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, Woonsocket; St. Pius X, Westerly and St. Paul, Cranston as well as RI Hospital in Providence. After his diaconate ordination, Morris will serve as a deacon for the summer at St. Eugene Parish in Chepachet before returning to the seminary to complete his formation for the priesthood.
Brice, son of Arnold and Rosana Brice of Providence, graduated from Lycee Nationale de Petion Ville High School in Haiti and immigrated to Rhode Island with his parents. He entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence and attended Clark University in Worcester and Providence College where he earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy. In 2013, Brice was assigned to continue his formation at St. John Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts. As a seminarian, his summer parish assignments included St. Philip, Greenville, Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, Woonsocket and Jesus Saviour in Newport. After his diaconate ordination, Brice will serve as a deacon for the summer at St. John Paul II Parish in Pawtucket before returning to the seminary to complete his formation for the priesthood.
The transitional deacons will finish their last year of seminary preparation prior to their ordination to the priesthood. As a transitional deacon, they may baptize, proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass, distribute Communion, witness marriages and lead rites for Christian burials.
Read more in the RI Catholic - Three seminarians to be ordained to Transitional Diaconate
