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CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte gained its newest deacon June 18, as Bishop Peter J. Jugis ordained Matthew Codd to the transitional diaconate at St. Patrick Cathedral.

Deacon Codd, 28, whose home parish is St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, is in seminary at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmittsburg, Md. He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood next June.

His mother and father, Celine and R. Trent Codd Jr., and other family members were present for the ordination.

"As the ordination unfolded, my mind replayed Matthew's childhood, during which I could clearly see God's intentions for him. With feelings of humility and joy, I knew in my heart that God had chosen Matthew to serve Him and at the same time was heaping yet another blessing on our marriage," Trent Codd said.

Reflecting on the day's events, Deacon Codd said, "The day was far more beautiful than I had ever imagined that it would be. I was humbled and grateful for everyone that came and I look forward to serving them all as a deacon. I couldn't help but think afterwards how much people had sacrificed in order to give me the opportunity to answer Christ's call. My parents, firstly, who first passed on the faith to me and who sacrificed much in order to pay for my education in Catholic school and to support me in seminary, and who have continuously prayed for me. And the people of the diocese as well, who generously give to the diocese for the formation of future priests and who send, in their kindness, care packages and letters to the seminarians to support them all along the way, not to mention their prayers. Without all of the prayers and support, I'm sure I could not have made it to this point."

Deacon Codd will serve this summer at St. Mark Church in Huntersville, assisting pastor Monsignor Richard Bellow and parochial vicar Father David Miller.

More photos are posted at the Diocese of Charlotte's YouTube channel.

— SueAnn Howell, staff writer