Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

My name is Deacon Cornelius and I am one of the seminarians for the Diocese of Syracuse. I was ordained a transitional deacon on May 17th, with the anticipation of my priesthood ordination next year in May of 2026. I did my pastoral year in the 2023-2024 academic year with Fr. Jim Serowik at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament as well as ministered and taught at Seton Catholic Central. I have been assigned again with Fr. Jim for my summer assignment as a deacon, and then I will return to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in August for my last year of formation.

I am excited that Fr. Jim is also the pastor of Saints John and Andrew parish now because you will also see
me around. I have been and will be trying to balance being present at both parishes. I look forward to meeting many of you this summer and on my breaks from the seminary next year!

As a little background on me, I am from Utica, NY. My home parish is Mary, Mother of Our Savior in Utica.
I attended Notre Dame Elementary School and then Notre Dame High School, where I graduated in 2016. I then went to college at The Catholic University of America, where I graduated in 2020. I entered the seminary at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland in August of 2020.

Please continue to hold me in prayer, and know of my prayers for the parish as well.

In Christ through Mary,
Deacon Cornelius