14 Permanent Deacons Say "Yes" on May 26

Each May, we're accustomed to hearing about ordinations - to the priesthood as men who have completed their studies celebrate ordination day and the beginning of a new chapter of ministry.

However, every second May we get the opportunity to rejoice with ordinations of a different type - men saying yes to the Permanent Diaconate. That will be the case May 26 as 14 men prepare to say "yes" to a very special ministry, one that continues to grow in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Below you'll find the media release distributed regarding this year's ordinations for the Permanent Diaconate Class of 2012. Most deacons are married men with wives accompanying them throughout the four year formation program. This year's class is no exception. It's pretty amazing when one considers that permanent deacons, for the most part, continue with their "day jobs" and take on parish and pastoral ministry as additional responsibilities.

The class will be moving forward with heavy hearts following the sudden death of classmate William (Dan) Mothersill who died of a heart attack on May 12 mere weeks before his ordination day. The fragility of life sometimes hits all too close to home and the entire community joins in mourning his passing. No doubt Dan will be in the hearts and prayers of all those gathered at St. Michael's Cathedral on ordination day.

Through the sorrow, we find hope and strength in the 14 who will say "yes" to the call on May 26 after completing their lengthy formation experience. A crowd of 1,000 will enthusiastically welcome these new servants in the vineyard of the Lord at St. Michael's Cathedral. To the newly ordained, we say welcome and thank you to you and your families as you embark on a new chapter of service to the community.

14 Permanent Deacons to be ordained in Archdiocese of Toronto

A surgeon, contractor, mail carrier, lawyer among those being ordained May 26

TORONTO (May 24, 2012) – Their occupations are widely different but they share a unifying commitment to their faith. Fourteen men – including an internationally recognized surgeon, a civic lawyer, a banker, a mail carrier, and an auto mechanic – will be ordained at St. Michael’s Cathedral at 10 a.m. on May 26 as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Toronto. The Mass and ordination ceremony will be presided over by Bishop Vincent Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto and Vicar for Deacons.

Permanent deacons serve the Church by assisting the archbishop and priests of the diocese. Their roles may be linked to charitable work in the community (i.e., hospital or jail chaplaincy), ministering in parishes and schools, and serving directly on the altar – they have the liturgical authority to baptize children, witness marriages and preside at funerals.

In 1967, following the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church reintroduced the permanent diaconate program. Unlike transitional deacons, permanent deacons are not studying to become priests – once ordained, they remain deacons for the rest of their lives. Since 1972, St. Augustine’s Seminary in Scarborough has provided the formation program for diaconal candidates and their wives. The program currently involves one year of prayer and discernment and four years of formation and theological study. Including the current candidates, 120 deacons now serve throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto.

The class of 2012 represents a diverse range of backgrounds and professions:

Mark Kenneth Castanier, St. Gertrude’s Parish, Oshawa – retired senior financial analyst with General Motors.

Pasquale Colangelo, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Aurora – mail carrier in Toronto.

Guiseppe D’Amico, St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Richmond Hill – general contractor in Toronto.

Miguel Gasper Pachaeo Da Silva, St. Martin of Tours Parish, Mississauga – automotive technician.

William Gregory De Marchi, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Mississauga – surgeon, psychologist, university lecturer, family physician for the late Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic and late Cardinal Emmett Carter

Stefano Di Mauro, Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish, Richmond Hill – Director in the financial services industry

Michael Salvatore Charles Gennaro, Good Shepherd Parish, Thornhill – retired businessman, who is legally blind

Pedro Emmanuel Guevara-Mann, Holy Martyrs of Japan, Bradford – television producer and on-air host, Salt + Light Television

Andrew John Kemp, St. Joseph’s Parish, Scarborough – paramedic in Toronto

Augustine de la Custodia Meneses Martinez, St. Philip Neri Parish, North York – senior custodian at a community college

Michal Edmund Minkowski, St. Christopher’s Parish, Mississauga – lawyer working for the City of Hamilton

Stephen Joseph Pitre, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Newmarket – Coordinator of Diaconal Ministry, Archdiocese of Toronto

Mark Stephen Romeo, Guardian Angels Parish, Brampton – finance manager with a major bank

Franciscus Ferryanto Sukardi, St. Mary’s Parish, Brampton – currently a senior technical analyst for a major retailer

The Archdiocese of Toronto is the spiritual home to 1.9 million Catholics. More than 800 diocesan and religious priests, assisted by 120 permanent deacons, provide pastoral leadership in 225 churches throughout the GTA with Mass celebrated each week in more than 30 languages.

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