Bishop Thomas Dowd of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie has ordained Chad Franklin to the Catholic priesthood to serve churches in northern Ontario.
Franklin, 46, is originally from Sault Ste. Marie.
He has lived throughout northern Ontario during his life spending his early career working in the IT world, "until he felt that God was calling him to do something more with his life" says a news release.
“I felt this calling to serve the Church,” Franklin said, “it grew strong within me that I had to do something about it.”
Entering St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario in 2015, Franklin spent six years preparing for the Catholic priesthood. During his training, he gained practical experience serving various parishes in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie including Christ the King Church in Sudbury and the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption in North Bay.
“It is always a joyous occasion to ordain a new priest for our Church,” Bishop Thomas Dowd of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie explained, “and always a great moment when anyone follows what God has planned for them in their lives.”
Bishop Dowd ordained Franklin to the priesthood during an Ordination Mass on August 26 at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption in North Bay. Fr. Chad Franklin’s first assignment as a priest will bring him to Precious Blood Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie as the Assistant Pastor.
