Ugandan bishop visits St. James, ordains 3

In the first ordination ceremony held at Newport Beach’s St. James Church under the Diocese of Luweero, Uganda, three people saw the realization of a calling and much hard work.

At the ceremony Saturday, Dawn Vukich and Tony Faint were ordained as priests, and Chuck McKinney was ordained as a church deacon.

The ordination was presided over by Luweero Bishop Rt. Rev. Evans M. Kisekka, who is in the United States touring the four churches in the country under his jurisdiction.

“It is just an incredible celebration beyond any magnitude of description I can give,” St. James Pastor Praveen Bunyan said.

More than 10 Anglican clergy members participated in Saturday’s ordination service.

Ordained priests have the authority to administer sacraments and the ministry of the church. Deacons assist priests and continue the church’s ministry.

Janice Faint, whose husband Tony Faint, was ordained as a priest Saturday, said the ceremony is a culmination of her husband’s calling.

“This is a dream,” Janice Faint said. “It was a vision that Tony had like 40 or 50 years ago.”

Janice and Tony Faint commute from San Diego County to attend services at St. James.

“It supports our beliefs,” Janice Faint said of the church.

Cheri Ketner of Newport Beach attended the ordination service Saturday to celebrate Vukich’s beginning in the priesthood. Ketner and Vukich are hiking buddies and good friends, Ketner said.

“It’s as if I am honored to witness her springboard into the fullness of what the Lord has called her to do,” Ketner said.

Vukich, who now serves as a pastor in the St. James South County church in San Juan Capistrano, is a “terrific teacher of the Word,” Vukich said.

In front of a congregation of more than 230 people, the three laid face down in front of the bishop as they were consecrated as clergy of the church.

The ordained priests and deacon were vested by family members.

Now that Tony Faint is an ordained priest, he will continue to work in the hospice ministry, or do whatever God asks him to do, Janice Faint said.

“God might decide that he should start a new parish,” Janice Faint said. dpt.18-bishop-BPhotoInfoE21S3HRO20060618j10x6fncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Rt. Rev. Evens M. Kisekka ordains Tony Faint, left, Chuck McKinney and Dawn Vukich on Saturday.