Two newly ordained priests to serve Brooklyn

December 13, 2012 By Francesca Norsen Tate Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Fr Chris Ballard confers a blessing on member of the faithful_photo by FNT.jpg

Share this:

The Right Reverend Lawrence Provenzano, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, ordained three priests at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, two of whom currently serve parishes in the Archdeaconry of Brooklyn.

The ordination liturgy took place Saturday morning, December 8.

The sounds of ancient prayers, prayerful silence, traditional hymns and lively music filled the air of the Cathedral as the nearly 600 people in attendance proclaimed their will that Christopher Ballard, Julie Hoplamazian and Alejandra Trillos be ordained priests. The three new priests have been transitional deacons since their ordinations to that order of clergy earlier this year.

The Very Reverend Theodore Bean, who is Dean of the Cathedral, said in his memorable sermon, “God will take your talents and your commitment using them – and you – where you are needed the most. And be cautioned that the call to serve will not always be in your hands alone. Your priesthood belongs to Christ and to the greater Christian community.”

Bean concluded with this final charge to the ordinands: “Be faithful in your vocation. Be a good friend, especially to your clergy colleagues, bishop, priest, and deacon. Be conscientious in your duties. Bring others to Christ by your example. And may God bless you, richly, in the vows you take today, for in His service is perfect freedom.”

A special guest bishop from South America was also present for the ordinations. The Rt. Rev. Francisco Duque, Bishop of Colombia, participated in the liturgy and the laying-on- of hands. One of the new priests, the Rev. Alejandra Trillos, is originally from Colombia. She is now the curate of St. John’s Church in Huntington, Long Island. The Rev. Christopher Ballard serves as curate at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, in Clinton Hill. His parish gained worldwide respect in recent weeks for its work as a distribution hub for Occupy Sandy hurricane relief efforts. Fr. Ballard is also the project manager
of the Redeemer Project, also in Brooklyn.

The Reverend Julie Hoplamazian serves as curate at Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights since her arrival in August. The Reverend Alejandra Trillos serves as curate (assisting priest) at St. John’s Church
in Huntington.

**A portion of this story is courtesy of the Rev. Canon Robert A. Picken, Canon for Pastoral Care & Liturgy for the Diocese of Long Island.