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Michael Hinterschied ordained a Transitional Deacon

Diocese of Columbus

Michael Hinterschied was ordained a transitional deacon by The Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell, D.D., Ph.D. Bishop of Columbus, on Saturday, May 14th at St. Joseph Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio. Hinterschied will be serving with Fr. Mark Hammond at St. Vincent de Paul parish in MountMountMount Vernon this summer.

Deacon Hinterschied is a seminarian preparing to be ordained as a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Columbus. He is currently in formation at Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland. He has one more year of formation before his priestly ordination in 2012. Prior to major seminary, Hinterschied was in college at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Hinterschied said that he has been looking forward to the diaconate Ordination for seven years. Michael entered seminary upon graduation from Granville High School, in Granville, Ohio, in 2004.

His parents Gregg and Barbara, and sister Emily, have greatly supported Hinterschied during his priestly formation. Hinterschied’s home parish is St. Edward the Confessor and he has been touched by the continued support from his pastor Msgr. Paul Enke and his home parish community.

“It has been an exciting time for St. Edward parishioners because I am the first man from the parish to be preparing for the diocesan priesthood -- as far as we know,” said Hinterschied. “The parishioners write to me and are very encouraging and I really appreciate all their prayers and support and I can’t wait to get home and serve on behalf of the Columbus Diocese.”

For Hinterschied, some key experiences during his formation include time in summer parish assignments. “The work in the parishes during the summer really affirmed my desire to serve and I enjoyed the support and mentoring from the various pastors,” said Hinterschied. “I led a book study with parishioners during The Year of the Priest. I also had moving experiences taking communion to the sick.”

He is also grateful for the support of his seminary formation advisors and the teachers and staff at Mount St. Mary who he describes as excellent mentors.

He has enjoyed his experience at “The Mount” as Mount St. Mary is affectionately called as it is located in the beautiful Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. “It is an area steeped in Catholic history and it is a peaceful and quiet place to study and pray,” said Hinterschied.

The Basilica and National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native born American to be canonized a Saint, is a few miles away and is a favorite place to visit for Hinterschied as well as the shrine to St. John Neumann in Philadelphia, PA.

The homiletics classes at Mount St. Mary help the men practice and prepare to write and deliver homilies. “It surprised me that I enjoyed homiletics so much, but I see it as an opportunity to teach. We are in a time where many people aren’t sure of some of the beliefs of the Church, but they really want to understand.” Hinterschied also enjoys intramural sports at Mount St. Mary, including baseball.

In reflecting upon the Ordination, Hinterschied talks about on the awe he felt as he walked into the Cathedral. He also was moved by the moment when “my face was on the ground listening to the invocation of the saints. It is incredibly humbling to be ordained a deacon and to be configured to Jesus Christ the servant of all.”