Seminarian with harmonica talent ordained deacon

Stephen Gadberry returns to home parish in Wynne for diaconate ordination

Published: April 10, 2015

By Sarah Morris
Jonesboro Correspondent

Sarah Morris

Stephen Gadberry (right), who will be ordained a priest in 2016, shares a laugh with vocations director Msgr. Scott Friend during his diaconate ordination at St. Peter Church in Wynne.

Sarah Morris

Stephen Gadberry (right), who will be ordained a priest in 2016, shares a laugh with vocations director Msgr. Scott Friend during his diaconate ordination at St. Peter Church in Wynne.

WYNNE — A routine trip to visit seminarian Stephen Gadberry in Rome led Msgr. Scott Friend to an event he never thought he would attend: the World Harmonica Festival in Germany.

The trip began when Gadberry, an avid harmonica player, decided to take Msgr. Friend someplace he has never been on one of his trips to visit the seminarians of the Diocese of Little Rock.

“Let’s just say it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Msgr. Friend, the diocese’s vocations director, said with a laugh. “We had a good time, and it really turned out to be a fun weekend. We actually went to the Hohner harmonica factory to see how they make them … Stephen was like a kid in a candy store, and I learned more about harmonicas than I ever thought I would.”

Msgr. Friend met Gadberry — who was ordained a deacon March 27 — eight years ago. He said one thing that stands out about Gadberry is that he puts his whole heart into everything he does.

“One of the things that is unique about Stephen is that he came with a lot of things that to me were very impressive,” Msgr. Friend said. “He had a very profound spiritual life already, a heart for service, he is very, very bright and I have just kind of watched that blossom and flower.

Gadberry, 29, is currently studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

He chose to return home for his diaconate ordination, which was presided over by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor at St. Peter Church in Wynne.

“I couldn’t share it with as many people if it was over there,” Gadberry said. “There would be a lot of people even within the immediate family who wouldn’t be able to go because it is such a big trip but, here, there were so many people who got to come.”

He said it provides parishioners a reminder they are not alone in their faith and to share the experience with others across the state. It meant a lot to him to be able to share that with his family and friends.

“Being a farm boy and a military veteran, I kind of taught myself how not to cry but a few times through the night I got teary eyed when I saw them,” Gadberry said, “because, really, this is my wedding. I am giving my life to the Church and to the Lord. To be with them and share that experience with them really meant a lot.”

Bishop Taylor said Gadberry will be a wonderful deacon as well as a wonderful priest one day.

“He gives of himself so fully. He radiates joy,” Taylor added. “He is sincere, uncomplicated, very affirming, willing to try anything and do anything. He has a special love for those who are poor or have problems and need him the most. He reaches out and leaves his comfort zone readily in order to be of help to people.”

It was leaving his comfort zone for the U.S. Air Force that helped Gadberry — who will be ordained a priest next summer — to grow in his faith.

“I’ve been Catholic all my life, but when I was in the military that was my first time away from home, away from mama and the family,” he said, “so you got to grow up when you are on your own. The faith became more than just something I did with my family. It really became a personal thing.”

Father Arokiasamy “Samy” Madhichetty Irudayaraj, who has been the pastor in Wynne for four years, said Gadberry is “a man of God and very simple, holy and down to earth.”

Gadberry began his seminary formation at St. Joseph College Seminary in Covington, La., before attending Gregorian University.

“Rome is amazing,” he said. “It is beautiful and there is a lot to see, a lot to do, a lot of good food, but it is not home.”

“It really stretches me,” he added. “But, it has led me to realize the only thing that does matter is to have faith in Jesus because he loves me, he loves us all and he really does take care of everything.”