BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Burlington was packed on Monday for a mass ordaining the diocese’s new bishop.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington ordained John McDermott as its bishop at an afternoon mass.
He summarizes his faith in the motto “God alone suffices.”
“I pray that I have been a priest and will be a bishop who can continue belief in God and further enhance love. Please pray for me. God alone suffices,” Bishop McDermott said.
An ordination mass is a special ceremony for parishioners.
“I’ve always wanted to see one, and I was blessed to win a ticket in the lottery at our parish, and I think the world of our new bishop. I think he’s an amazing person and I’m so glad that I was here to witness it,” said Sile Voyer-Torres of Waitsfield.
McDermott is hardly a stranger to many Catholic Vermonters. He has been a priest in Vermont for 35 years, serving at parishes and schools all over the state.
“He knows so many of us already, and he has connections throughout Vermont, from the university to all the different parishes he’s been with, and a familiar face, a kind face. And he’s young, for a bishop, anyway,” Voyer-Torres said.
Knowing him only adds to the excitement.
“He is such an amazing man that he’ll do anything for anyone, and I’m sure he’ll take very good care of his priests and all the people that are working with him. We’re very fortunate and lucky to have him. I’m so excited for him,” said Anna Mikan of Burlington.
The mass also brought visitors from out of state. Sabrina and Lucas Sherman live in Michigan.
“It was one of the most wonderful Masses I’ve ever been to,” Sabrina Sherman said.
McDermott takes over the job from the former bishop, Christopher Coyne, who left the diocese last year after being appointed an archbishop in Connecticut.