Welcoming Four New Priests

By Pam Flynn
Managing Editor

May 28, 2009

The Diocese of Memphis is blessed to have four men entering into the priesthood on June 6. Seminarians and transitional deacons Robert Dale Favazza, Jacek Lukasz Kowal, Adam Marshall Rust and Kevin James Stockbridge will be ordained at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D. Solemn Vespers will be celebrated for the men on Friday, June 5 at the Cathedral beginning at 7 p.m. Ordination is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. All people of the diocese are invited to attend.

"As a diocese, we are blessed to have four of our seminarians being ordained to the priesthood," said Bishop Steib. "They have worked diligently to complete their years of study, formation and training on their journey. We welcome them in the Diocese of Memphis in West Tennessee."

Deacon Favazza was born in Memphis on July 25, 1981. He is the son of Frank and Elizabeth Favazza. He has one brother, Brandon. A graduate of Germantown High School, the University of Memphis and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Favazza recently completed his seminary work at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. Bishop Steib has appointed him as associate pastor of St. Mary Church in Jackson, effective June 24.

Deacon Kowal was born in Stalowa Wola, Poland on July 2, 1981. He is the son of Jerry and Elizabeth Kowal. After working on his discernment process in Poland, he came to the United States in 2005 and began to study for the priesthood for the Diocese of Memphis. He then attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary. He has been appointed as associate pastor of St. Ann Church in Bartlett effective June 24.

Deacon Rust was born in Mobile, Alabama on April 2, 1982. He and his sister, Erin, are the children of Richard and Emily Rust. He is a graduate of Houston High School and attended Mississippi State University. He also graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville and was in seminary at Pontifical North American College in Rome. He will continue his licentiate studies in Rome effective immediately.

Deacon Stockbridge is the son of James and Amelia Stockbridge and was born on November 4, 1980 in Starkville, Mississippi. He has one sister, Stephanie. A graduate of St. Benedict High School, he also graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville and completed his seminary work at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. He has been assigned to serve as associate pastor at the Church of the Incarnation effective June 24.