On Dec. 20, West Catholic alumnus Hunter Ostapowicz ’15 celebrated the Rite of Ordination of Deacons. Hunter is the son of Mark ’88 and Melissa ’88 Ostapowicz. He has one sister, Riley ’13. Hunter is a member of the Basilica of St. Adalbert in Grand Rapids. He credits many of the pastors from the westside of Grand Rapids, along with Bl. Basil Moreau, CSC, for fostering his vocation.

After graduating from West Catholic, Hunter received his bachelor’s degree from Holy Cross College in South Bend, Indiana, in 2019. He received his Master of Divinity in Fall 2025. He completed his pastoral internship at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Rockford under the mentorship of Fr. Dominic Couturier.

Hunter will complete his formation for the priesthood by serving as a deacon at the cluster of parishes of St. Catherine in Ravenna, St. Francis Xavier in Conklin and St. Joseph in Wright. He is expected to be ordained to the priesthood on June 20, 2026.

Please keep Hunter in your prayers as he steps into this new ministry as a deacon and continues his formation for the priesthood. Please also pray for Charles Leidel and Logan McGahan, who were ordained transitional deacons alongside Hunter.

Prayer for Vocations

O God, hear our prayer
and let our cry come to You.
Bless the Diocese of Grand Rapids
with many vocations to the
priesthood, diaconate,
and religious life.

Give Your sons and daughters
the confidence to accept Your call,
and the love to follow always
in the footsteps of Your beloved Son
with courage and dedication
to Your will.

Amen.