Deacon Alexander Leschisin, Matthew Harris, Andrew Mullaney
Deacon Alexander Leschisin: Priesthood
Countless hours of classroom preparation, prayer and formation will culminate in Deacon Alexander Leschisin’s ordination to the priesthood on May 29.
Deacon Leschisin was born in Watertown to Connie and Doug. He was raised in Webster and Eden in South Dakota, and Stanley, North Dakota, with his two sisters Geena and Hanna. He was baptized at Christ the King Parish in Webster and attended Sacred Heart Parish in Eden during high school.
Deacon Leschisin traces some of the roots of his call back to attending Discipleship Camp when he was 13.
“I had an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist that totally changed my life,” Deacon Leschisin said. “Encountering Jesus in eucharistic adoration, I had the chance to receive his love for me and to receive his vision for my life, which was a vision of goodness, of prosperity, of love.”
Throughout his time in seminary, Deacon Leschisin has experienced the peace and joy that first accompanied his discernment.
“When I prayed about the thought of seminary, what came with it was peace, joy and hope,” he said. “I’ve been following that peace, joy and hope ever since in applying to seminary, in my formation at seminary, and even now as a deacon and soon-to-be priest.”
Matthew Harris: Transitional Diaconate
Matthew Harris will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 28. He was born to Darin and Debbie Harris and was raised in Elk Point before moving to Sioux Falls when he was 8. He is a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Sioux Falls and has one sister, Shelby.
Matthew said that relationships helped kickstart his discernment process.
“Friendships with other faithful Catholics laid the foundations for my recognition of God’s call,” he said. “From there, the examples of the many priests that I was blessed to know throughout my life helped me to pursue the growing desire in my heart towards the priesthood.”
Friendships also became an important part of seminary life for Matthew.
“God gave me many friends who helped get me into the seminary, and he has continued to keep me there through friendship.”
Andrew Mullaney: Transitional Diaconate
Andrew Mullaney will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 28. He was born in Watertown to Mike and Carolyn and grew up in Castlewood before moving to Brookings and finally Volga, where his family lives now. He is a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Brookings. He has a brother, Clark, and three sisters, Chantel, Anna and Angel.
He credits the beginning of his call to a retreat he attended with his grandfather while in high school.
“I went on a weekend retreat with my grandpa, Paul Mullaney, and this moment moved me to receive the sacraments, pray in adoration, receive Christian fellowship and ultimately sense God’s love for me and his call to love and serve him and his people.”
For Andrew, one of the highlights of seminary has been friendship.
“My favorite part of seminary has been the genuine friendships that I have made that will last for a lifetime and into eternity.”
