SAGINAW- Three Mid-Michigan men will be ordained to the priesthood on Friday, May 31. Although they share a similar desire to serve God and his people, each man followed a unique path to the priesthood.
Stephen Blaxton (center), Deacon Matthew Federico (right) and Deacon Marc Hopps (left)
Deacon Matt Federico studied business and worked as an auditor before entering the seminary. Deacon Stephen Blaxton played the drums semi-professionally, and even considered a career as a musician before he became a seminarian. Deacon Marc Hopps entered the seminary shortly after graduating from high school.
All three will be ordained at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw by Bishop Walter Hurley, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Saginaw.
Deacon Stephen Blaxton, 33, is a native of Shepherd Mich., and grew up in St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shepherd. He earned a Master of Divinity in 2018 from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and his Sacred Theology Baccalaureate from the Angelicum in Rome in 2018. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 11, 2017, following which he served at Holy Family Parish, Sandusky. After his ordination to the priesthood, Father Stephen will serve at St. Dominic Parish and at Saginaw Valley State University.
Deacon Matt Federico, 36, is a native of Saginaw Mich., and grew up what is now St. Dominic Parish. He earned a Master of Divinity in 2019 from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., and was ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 18, 2018, following which he served at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Midland and Our Lady of the Woods, Orland Park, Ill. After his ordination to the priesthood, Father Matt will serve at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Saginaw, St. John Paul II Parish, Carrollton and Nouvel Catholic Central High School, Saginaw,
Deacon Marc Hopps is a native of Bay City and grew up in what is now All Saints Parish, Bay City. He earned his Master of Divinity from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 2018, and was ordained to the transitional diaconate on Nov. 30, 2018. He has been serving at St. Dominic Parish, Saginaw. After his ordination to the priesthood, Father Marc will serve at Holy Spirit Parish, Shields.
WHEN: Friday, May 31 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave., Saginaw and Live Streamed on this website.
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