ORLANDO  |  Bishop John Noonan opened the Ordination to the Priesthood of Father Sinclair Cushmore and Father Daniel Bassile with these words from Pope Leo XIV, “We are called to a greater good and everything we are doing here is somehow oriented towards the fullness of life and love in God’s hands.”

It echoed the words of Father William Burns at vespers, the night before. Father Burns, who attended seminary with both men, urged them to not forget their past, but to bring what they’ve learned with them. Father Cushmore served in hospitality management. He reminded him of the many people who feel wounded by the Church and asked him to, “keep that in your heart.”

Father Bassile was an elevator tech. He told him, “There’s going to be people having lots of ups and downs and a lot of people stuck and not knowing where to go.” As in his former life, Father Burns told him he was to keep things “flowing behind the scenes,” meeting people where they are and taking them to the right floor. He said, “As you enter the priesthood, do not forget that part of our formation that was taking your old life and transforming it.”

This is what Pope Leo XIV described as “a magnificent gift,” Bishop Noonan said. “When you recognize God has called you, God has created you, and that God has loved you, you share that with other people.”

“When you preach the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will give you new life in Christ and fill your hearts with the fire of God’s love. This fire cannot be extinguished because God’s love is never ending. How beautiful is God’s call, how wondrous that He asks you now to lead His people,” added the bishop.

This idea of taking their gifts and conforming them to Christ’s desire for them was seen in the wishes and thoughts of their families. Father Cushmore’s sister, Georgianne Martinez Cushmore, saw a vocation in her brother when he was a child. His gifts of caring for others came naturally.

Georgianne, described this lived hospitality by way of expanding their family. “I feel like he’s about to adopt 1,000 people at once. And so, we’re about to tangentially gain a lot of family members just through him going through this. I’m really excited for him.”

Father Bassile was not only an elevator tech, but a father and grandfather. His granddaughter, Natalie, is sure priesthood is for her grandfather.

“He’s probably the most devoted person that I know in my life,” she said. “He’s really down to earth with others and really kind and caring. He doesn’t really get angry at all,” even when she and her younger sister, Ellie, challenge him, she said.

Her mother and Father Bassile’s eldest child, Kelsey Rivizzio, agreed recalling his devotion throughout her life. She is a first-grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School in Palm Bay where her father occasionally speaks to her classes.

“It’s amazing to see him with the kids because he is really able to connect with them and laugh with them and bring them closer to God and tell them in a way that is not so complicated that they can’t understand.”

Father Bassile’s son, Nicholas (Nick) shared he is particularly joyous that his dad will “be called father by others when he was a great father for me.” “He’s very merciful and he’s very loving and he’s very good at making you know that you’re forgiven for messing up,” he said. “I don’t feel he withholds love for any reason. I think people will see this is what they’re looking for when they come to church, that there’s a person who sees them as a son or daughter of  God, truly.”

Bishop Noonan assured the two men they will learn much from others. He shared his own experience on his first assignment as a priest serving a large hospital. He received three emergency calls in one night. At first, he went willingly, even excited to serve. The second call drew him with reluctance. He took the third call, exhausted and frustrated. The emergency room doctor requested he come and anoint two young boys who weren’t going to make it, and their mother who was gravely injured. Then the Jewish doctor asked him to remain awhile. When the children passed, he asked Bishop Noonan to go with him to tell their mother and to call the father. He wanted him to provide what the doctor could not, spiritual consolation.

“Sometimes we may not fully understand or feel appreciated. The Good Shepherd calls us to lead and guide and protect the sheep. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, offers us a new life infused with joy, love and meaning,” the bishop said. “The shepherd always leads with God’s help and we are not alone. Brothers, the people of God will not follow you on Facebook, but they will see you and you will see them before and after every Mass. You may not know their names, but they will know you and they will follow you.”

Bishop Noonan closed reminding Father Bassile, his past life as an elevator mechanic who worked in transportation would serve him well as he “would be transporting people to heaven” from now on.

To Father Cushmore he said, he’s glad he finally listened to his sister and joined the priesthood after his work in resorts. “Hospitality yes, but remind people heaven is not on earth. Inspire people to go to heaven.”

Father Bassile is assigned to Holy Family Parish in Orlando and Father Cushmore is assigned to St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Altamonte Springs.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, May 29, 2026