March 3 2021

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

After encountering the Diocese of Ogdensburg early in his time in the United States, Deacon Fernando Solomon said he hoped to be a part of this diocese. That hope became a reality nearly 10 years later, as Deacon Solomon, a transitional deacon seeking ordination to the priesthood, has been officially incardinated into the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

“I am really, really so happy,” Deacon Solomon said. “It’s overwhelming.”

“Incardination is the canonical institution of permanent attachment of bishops, priests and deacons to a particular church or other ecclesiastical entity for the primary purpose of the service of the people of God,” according to the New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law.

Canon Law states that “every cleric must be incardinated” and “unattached or transient clerics are not allowed at all.”

After completing his seminary education in the Philippines, Deacon Solomon was ordained as a deacon in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. To be incardinated into this diocese, Deacon Solomon had to obtain permission from the bishops of both dioceses.

Prior to being incardinated, Deacon Solomon had been serving a pastoral year in the Catholic Communities of Crown Point, Moriah and Port Henry. There, he serves with Father Albert J. Hauser.

“The Diocese of Ogdensburg is happily blessed to welcome Deacon Fernando to the North Country as a newly incardinated transitional deacon,” said Bishop Terry R. LaValley. “He continues to assist Father Hauser and serve the faithful of the Catholic Community of Crown Point and Moriah. We look forward to his ministry in the Lord’s Name in the years ahead. Welcome Aboard, Deacon Fernando!”

Deacon Solomon said he first visited the diocese not long after arriving in the United States from the Philippines in 2011 to serve with missionaries for a deaf apostolate.

“They had a camp in Old Forge,” Deacon Solomon said. “In 2012, I met some of the priests of the diocese, and that was the beginning of me getting to know the diocese. I met Father Shane (Lynch), and he introduced me to Father Bryan Stitt, who was Vocation director at that time. Sometime around 2012, 2013, I inquired for the diocese. I was (in the United States) on a religious workers visa. It did not work out at that time because of immigration issues.”

Years later, Deacon Solomon found himself living in the Utica area with priest friends. He again thought of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

“I always said God really works in different ways, even in mysterious ways,” he said. “I started communicating with (Vocations Director) Father Chris (Carrara). In February of last year, Father Chris told me he talked to the bishop, and the bishop says we’ll give you a shot. They told me they want me to come on March 31. That’s my birthday. It was a wonderful gift.”

Deacon Solomon said his time with the people of the Catholic Communities of Moriah, Crown Point and Port Henry have also been a gift.

“Usually, we can talk to people after Mass,” he said. “We can’t do that now, but people have been reaching out. It’s so nice. In the 10 years I’ve been in the U.S., this was the most wonderful Christmas I’ve had. People are so nice.”

Deacon Solomon said he also appreciates the mentorship of Father Hauser.

“It’s been a blessing and a grace for me because God really put me in the right place with Father Al, my mentor,” he said. “He’s a wonderful mentor and trainer. He’s mentoring me mentally, spiritually and physically. I say physically because he shared with me ‘the Fit Father’ – it’s working out with dumbbells and other exercises.”
Despite hailing from a warmer climate, Deacon Solomon said he’s also come to love the North Country and its seasons and beauty.

“I’m very thankful I came here and adjusted easily. I love the cold weather,” he said, before laughing. “Well, sometimes, it’s just too much. It’s nature. I try to enjoy it. It’s so close to nature here. These mountains and this view! “I’m like, ‘wow!’ I can really feel God is really here. So I love to do the mountain climbing and hiking. Before winter, parishioners invited me to do the Moriah Challenge. It was four mountains. We got a badge for the challenge.”

More than anything, though, Deacon Solomon is grateful to be pursuing his vocation to the priesthood.
“I really enjoy and love continuing this path,” he said. “It’s a wonderful life. I’m very thankful to God for giving me this gift of calling as a priest, especially in this place.”

Deacon Solomon is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood May 29.

While he said he looks forward to nearly every aspect of the priesthood, he says he hopes he can find a way to use skills he’s obtained over the years to help the people of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

“I had a special ministry doing sign language,” he said. “If someone needs help in a situation serving the deaf people in the diocese, that’s an area I can help. And back in the Philippines, before I came here, I did course work in special education. I have experience with autism and other issues. I know there will be challenges, but I’m very thankful and blessed to be here in this diocese. I am on cloud 9.”