PITTSBURGH – Bishop David A. Zubik, Diocese of Pittsburgh, will ordain four men to the priesthood during a Mass of Ordination on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood (Fifth Avenue at N. Craig Street, Pittsburgh 15213).
“The Church of Pittsburgh rejoices in the ordination of these four men as priests,” Bishop Zubik said. “They are ready to serve the People of God. Our mission to learn Jesus, love Jesus and live Jesus is continued in their ministry and through their hands, especially in the celebration of the sacraments.”
The future priests and their home parishes are: Deacon Nicholas R. Clinton, Saints Martha and Mary Parish; Deacon John F. Ferguson, All Saints Parish; Deacon John L. Kist, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish; and Deacon Daniel T. Kushner, Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish.
The newly ordained priests will celebrate their first Masses on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at these parishes:
Father Nicholas Clinton
1:30 p.m. at Saint Catherine of Sweden Church, Saints Martha and Mary Parish
2554 Wildwood Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
Father John Ferguson
4:30 p.m. at Saint Conrad Church, All Saints Parish
125 Buttercup Road, Butler, PA 16001
Father John Kist
4 p.m. at Saint Bernard Church, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish
311 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Father Daniel Kushner
2 p.m. at Saint Athanasius Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
7 Chalfonte Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
Brief Biographies
Deacon Nicholas R. Clinton
Nicholas graduated from Hampton High School in 2012 and went on to graduate from Grove City College in 2017 with a BA in Philosophy. In the fall of 2017, Nick was accepted into the priestly formation program to begin pre-theology studies at Saint Paul Seminary and Duquesne University. Nick was assigned to Theological College and
The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC in August 2019, where he completed his first year of theological studies. In the summer of 2020, Nick participated in the Summer Priestly Spirituality Program at Saint Paul Seminary, and in the fall, Nick transferred to Saint Vincent Seminary. In June 2021, Nick began his Pastoral Year assignment at Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish. In August 2022, he returned to Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA, completing his third year of theological studies. Nick was ordained to the diaconate on June 3, 2023, and assigned to Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish. In the fall of 2023, he returned to Saint Vincent Seminary, and completed his fourth year of theological studies.
Deacon John F. Ferguson
John graduated from Saint Joseph High School in Natrona Heights in 2015 and studied psychology at Butler County Community College from 2015-16, before being accepted into the priestly formation program to begin studies at Saint Paul Seminary and Duquesne University in the fall of 2016. He was assigned to Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe in August 2019. In the summer of 2020, John participated in the Summer Priestly Spirituality Program at Saint Paul Seminary, then returned to Saint Vincent Seminary in the fall. In June 2021, John began his Pastoral Year assignment at Resurrection Parish, Bethel Park. In August 2022, he returned to Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA. After completing his third year of studies, John was ordained to the diaconate on June 3, 2023, and assigned to Resurrection Parish for the summer. In the fall, he returned to Saint Vincent Seminary, and has completed his theological studies.
Deacon John L. Kist
John graduated from Seton LaSalle High School in 2015, then studied Computer Engineering at Penn State University from 2015-2017. In the fall of 2017, John was accepted into the priestly formation program for pre-theology studies at Saint Paul Seminary and Duquesne University. John was assigned to Theological College and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, to begin theological studies August 2019. In the summer of 2020, John participated in the Summer Priestly Spirituality Program at Saint Paul Seminary. In June 2021, John began his Pastoral Year assignment at Saint Katherine Drexel Parish, Bentleyville. In August 2022, he returned to Theological College and The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, completing his third year of theological studies the following spring. John was ordained to the diaconate on June 3, 2023, and assigned to Saint Katherine Drexel Parish, Bentleyville and Saint James Parish, Washington/Claysville for the summer. He returned to Theological College and The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, and completed his final year of theological studies.
Deacon Daniel T. Kushner
Dan was homeschooled and in 2013, he began studies at Westminster College, New Wilmington. He graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Music, and in the fall was accepted into the priestly formation program to begin pre-theology studies at Saint Paul Seminary and Duquesne University. Dan was assigned to Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, to begin theological studies in August 2019. In the summer of 2020, Dan participated in the Summer Priestly Spirituality Program of the Department for Pre-Ordination Formation at Saint Paul Seminary. In June 2021, Dan began his Pastoral Year assignment at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. In August 2022, he returned to Theological College and The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, for his third year of theological studies.
Dan was ordained to the diaconate on June 3, 2023, and assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish for the summer. In the fall of 2023, he returned to Theological College and The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, completing his fourth year of theological studies in the spring of 2024.
Bishop Zubik and the new priests will be available for photos, video and interviews on the cathedral’s main steps facing Fifth Avenue following the ordination Mass at approximately 12 p.m. on Saturday.
The ordination Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLHrjYOP_Rc and cablecast on Comcast Channel 95 (in the City of Pittsburgh).