On Saturday, April 14, the United States Province of Priests and Brothers celebrated the Ordination of their brother Rev. Matthew C. Kuczora, C.S.C., to the priesthood at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.
Provincial Superior Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C., presented Kuczora for Ordination to the Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Kuczora made his Final Profession of Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in August 2011. With those vows, he already committed to live his life in communion with the life and the work of the Congregation. As a Holy Cross priest, Fr. Kuczora will now focus his discipleship through a life of making God known, loved and served across all borders.
When Fr. Tyson received Rev. Mr. Kuczora’s Final Vows last August, he said in his homily, “Matt’s journey of discipleship led him to Holy Cross … he has found that the mission of Holy Cross is not one that belongs to us as individuals. Rather, our mission, which is the Lord’s, is a mission that we hold in common, and that is nurtured by our common prayer, our common life, and our common effort – all of this with the Eucharist at the center.”
Speaking about his Ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Kuczora said, “The diversity of ministry in Holy Cross and the joy with which its priests and brothers carry it out first drew me to begin this process. Now, years later, I stand on that firm foundation and feel God calling me to continue that work, making Him present for all people. As Fr. Jacques Dujarie, a driving force in the formation of Holy Cross, oncesaid, ‘I am a priest to be father to the orphan, the consolation of the widow, the support of the poor and the friend of the suffering.’ I am overjoyed to celebrate a call fulfilled and a new life of service begun.”
Fr. Kuczora, the oldest of five children born to Paul and Pamela Kuczora, grew up in Marion, Ind., where he and his family were members of St. Paul Catholic Church. He attended Marion High School and graduated cum laude in 2005 from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accountancy. He also received a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame in May 2011.
Fr. Kuczora’s family members and close friends participated in his Ordination Mass. His parents Mr. & Mrs. Paul & Pam Kuczora along with Drs. Michael & Meaghan Keller (brother-in-law & sister); Ms. Madeleine Kuczora (sister); Ms. Molly Kuczora (sister); and Ms. Meredith Kuczora (sister) all were Gift Bearers.
For the past year, Kuczora served as a Deacon at Nuestra Madre Santisima de la Luz Parish, a Holy Cross parish in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He also served as Director of Postulants (a program to provide candidates with an introduction to the history, spirituality, charism, life, and work of the Congregation of Holy Cross). After Ordination, Fr. Kuczora will return to Mexico.
Fr. Kuczora celebrated his first Mass, a Mass of Thanksgiving, on Sunday, April 15 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
View the pictures and video from Fr. Kuczora’s Ordination here.
Deacon Kuczora’s upcoming Ordination is a joyous time for the entire Congregation of Holy Cross. Read a reflection from Fr. Ken Molinaro, C.S.C., First Assistant Provincial and Vicar of the U.S. Province.
Deacon Kuczora’s recently attended the Papal visit in Silao, Mexico and was able to assit during Mass. Read his story in Today’s Catholic.
