DETROIT — The Presbyterate of the Archdiocese of Detroit will gain a new member Wednesday, Sept. 14, when Archbishop Allen Vigneron is to ordain Deacon David Bechill to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
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Deacon Bechill, 26, is the son of Richard and Rosemary Bechill, who are now retired and living in Traverse City.
The family lived in St. Isaac Jogues Parish, St. Clair Shores, during his early elementary school years before moving to St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Algonac.
Deacon Bechill says it was the example of his pastor there from 1994-98, Fr. Leo Broderick , that inspired him to discern a vocation to the priesthood.
“I began altar serving the same year he came to the parish, when I was in the fourth grade. It was very special to me to be there at the altar with him, and to learn what the Mass is and why the Mass is so important,” he says.
Seeing how focused Fr. Broderick was at Mass and how involved he was with the people of the parish made a strong impression on the young altar server. It wasn’t that Fr. Broderick ever sat him down and suggested he consider a priestly vocation, but that his example was so edifying. “His life was an invitation to greater intimacy with Christ. I came to feel that Jesus wanted me to be His priest,” Deacon Bechill continues.
He also cites the “day-in, day-out example” of his mother and father, and how they always saw to it that the family made it to Sunday Mass.
Fr. Broderick, now a senior priest, says of Deacon Bechill, “He’s a good, strong young man. He’s been persistent in his pursuit of his vocation, and I think he’s going to make a good priest.”
Deacon Bechill says he was able to choose the day for his ordination from among a list of available dates, and chose Sept. 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, “because the Cross is such an important part of priestly ministry and life — it is through the Cross that I’ll do all of my work.”
As to his hopes for his priestly ministry, he says, “Giving my entire life to Jesus and living His life, especially on the Cross. And following from that, entering into and living the sacramental life of the Church, so that I can help other people be a living sacrifice of praise to God.”
He adds that he just wants to be a parish priest, whether in city, suburb or rural area – “all I want is souls.”
Among his interests are listening to classical music, going to concerts, hiking and other outdoor activities, reading history philosophy and aesthetics, and staying connected to friends.
Fr. Broderick says he plans to be at the cathedral in Detroit for his protégé’s ordination, and then to be with then-Fr. Bechill again when he celebrates his first Mass of Thanksgiving the following day, Thursday, Sept. 15, at noon, at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church.
In addition to that Mass, the newly ordained priest is also to celebrate additional Masses of Thanksgiving at St. Catherine on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m.; at Holy Cross Church, Marine City, on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 9:30 a.m.; and at St. Raphael Church, Garden City, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Beverly Hills, and Immaculate Conception Church, Lapeer, on dates and at times yet to be announced.
