Fifteen permanent deacons and two transitional deacons were ordained May 11 at Holy Name Cathedral. Auxiliary Bishop Larry Sullivan, vicar general, celebrated the ordination Mass.

The newly ordained deacons are assigned to parishes in Blue Island, Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Flossmoor, Inverness, Lake Forest, Mundelein, Niles, Oak Lawn, River Forest, Skokie, Wadsworth, Wauconda and Waukegan.

In the Catholic Church, deacons preparing for the priesthood are known as transitional deacons. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, seminarians are ordained after their third year of theology studies at Mundelein Seminary and will return for one more year of studies as deacons before ordination to the priesthood.

Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained as permanent deacons. Single men who commit to celibacy also may be ordained as permanent deacons.

Deacons assist the bishop and priests in ministries of the word, liturgy and charity. This includes proclaiming the Gospel, leading intercessions, preaching, preparing the altar, celebrating baptisms, leading the faithful in prayer, distributing Communion, witnessing marriages and conducting wake and funeral services. Deacons also identify the needs of the poor and underserved and shepherd the church’s resources to meet those needs.

Diaconate formation for permanent deacons requires completion of a comprehensive, four-year archdiocesan program, offered in both English and Spanish at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. The programs include human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions of formation and a year-long parish pastoral ministry internship.

Deacon Marl Albarillo and his wife, Fritzie, have two children, aged 12 and 14.

The Glenview resident has worked in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry for 17 years. He will serve at St. John Brebeuf Parish, Niles.

Born in the Philippines, he grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on the North Side, where he was active in various ministries, as well as helping orphanages in the Philippines.

He plans to continue his involvement in baptismal preparation, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, working with altar servers and speaking at retreats and other events.

His formation taught him, he said, that Christ chose him, not the other way around. “Christ is using me to bring his love to his people through hope,” he said.

Deacon William M. Aquino Jr., 55, and his wife, Mary Rose, have three children from 19 to 24 years old.

A physical therapist from Mundelein, Aquino will serve at Santa Maria del Popolo Parish.

He said the formation process taught him humility and gratitude for the gifts he has received.

The highlight for the Aquinos was a deeper prayer life and a better relationship, he said.

Aquino plans to help with baptismal preparation and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.

Deacon James Bratager, 64, is a teacher from Elmwood Park.

He will minister at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, River Forest.

The highlight of his formation was experiencing Jesus’ love and mercy, he said.

“I have totally fallen back in love with Jesus Christ!” he said.

He intends to minister in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, the men’s club, wakes and committal services and hospitality, and he hopes to strengthen his Spanish-language skills.

Deacon Gregory Fidanzia, 58, has one daughter in her 20s.

An insurance agent from River Grove, he will minister at St. William Parish, 2600 N. Sayre Ave.

“I am grateful for how God has shaped me through formation,” Fidanzia said. “I hope to be a faithful witness to the Gospel, serving with compassion and humility, and inspiring others to deepen their relationship with Christ.”

He intends to offer baptismal preparation and celebrate baptisms as well as helping with bereavement ministry.

Deacon Juan Jose Franco, 48, and his wife, Laura, have two children in their 20s.

Franco is a construction company owner from Chicago. He will serve at Our Lady of Czestochowa and Charity Parish, Cicero.

“This formation has taught me humility and, primarily, service,” Franco said. “It’s allowed me to help those in different types of situations. Service is where we feel joy and this we believe is our calling. Most importantly, I learned how to embody the characteristics that God has taught us through his Scriptures.”

Franco intends to participate in all parish ministries, especially those to widows and the elderly.

Deacon Miguel Garcia Prado, 44, is a volunteer who lives in Blue Island.

He will serve at St. Donatus Parish, Blue Island.

“In these years of study and preparation, my training has been a source of learning and personal development, but it has also been a source of teaching and growth in intellectual, spiritual and pastoral aspects,” he said.” I feel very grateful to each and every one of those who, over these years, have accompanied me and helped me discern my vocation.”

Deacon Gabriel Gomez, 48, and his wife, Ilda Rivera, have two children in their 20s.

Gomez, a Waukegan contractor, will serve at Most Blessed Trinity Parish, Waukegan.

The formation process, he said, taught him to care for God’s people with patience, humility and love.

“One moment that stands out to me was when I realized that service isn’t just something we do, it’s who we are called to be,” he said. “That shift changed everything for me. It helped me see ministry not as a responsibility but as a privilege and a way to live.”

Deacon Rodrigo Eduardo Gomez, 56, and his wife, Angelica, have adult children.

Gomez, a machinist from Stickney, will minister at Our Lady of Fatima and St. Pancratius Parish, 4025 S. Sacramento Ave.

The formation process taught him more about his faith, he said. Learning to pray in silence especially allowed him to stay in the present and keep a good attitude in difficult situations.

He will focus his ministry once he and his pastor see where he is most needed, he said.

Deacon Victor Gomez, 60, and his wife, Rowena, have two young adult children.

Gomez, a semi-retired contracts manager from Skokie, will serve at Sts. Peter and Lambert Parish, Skokie.

While he learned many things from formation, the highlight was the relationships that developed among the members of the cohort, he said.

He also learned to be patient with the process.

“There were moments along the way when things didn’t immediately make sense, but as time passed, I began to see how everything was interconnected, leading to a more holistic and comprehensive formation,” he said.

Deacon Dennis R. Holley, 59, and his wife, Edena, have three children from 20 to 32 years old.

A technical instructor and supervisor for the U.S. Department of the Navy, Holley will serve at St. Brigid Parish, Wadsworth.

Holley said he was most impressed by the transformation he saw within himself and other members of his class as they went through formation.

“Formation has taught me that when God calls us to serve his church, he does not first ask if we feel qualified, knowledgeable or holy enough,” Holley said. “Instead, he looks at the gifts he has already planted within us.”

Holley intends to serve as a “mentor and trainer” in various ministries of the church.

Deacon Pablo Janowicz, 53, and his wife, Ines Eisner, have four children from 15 to 21 years old.

He lives in Lake Forest and will minister at the Church of St. Mary, Lake Forest.

He learned, he said, that “ministry starts with a personal relationship with Jesus, learning to pray intently, learning the Scriptures and the sacraments. Also, that a deacon is called to lead by serving.”

Deacon Matt Jones, 49, and his wife, Susan, have three teenage children.

An enterprise architect from Oak Lawn, he will serve at St. Gerald Parish, Oak Lawn.

The highlight of formation for him was the relationships he made with classmates.

“I have one brother by birth, but now I have 11 more,” he said. “We’ve laughed, cried and grown together. Building these friendships of support and love has been one of the greatest gifts of formation — something I will cherish forever.”

He hopes to be involved in all areas of diaconal ministry.

“Above all, I want to be present where the church needs me most,” he said.

Deacon Bob Lanigan, 58, and his wife, Kristin, have one adult child.

A sales manager from Kildeer, Lanigan will serve at Holy Family Parish, Inverness.

Asked what he learned in formation, he said, “Lex orandi, lex credenda, lex vivendi!” (“the law of prayer, the law of belief, the law of living”), an expression that emphasizes the connection between prayer, belief and life.

“Formation has been amazing,” he said. “My spiritual and intellectual growth and the blessings it has bestowed on my marriage have been life-changing.”

He intends to minister by assisting at liturgy, doing works of charity and serving in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.

Deacon John McNichols, 60, and his wife, Linda, live in Midlothian.

McNichols is coordinator for lifelong formation at St. Veronica Parish in Flossmoor, where he will continue to minister.

The formation process taught him humility, he said.

“Formation for Holy Orders, if one is authentic in their approach to it, should [make one] aware of the transformation that will take place in one’s soul. Humility is the baseline of that transformation in my soul,” he said. “Humility is not a vitamin that one takes. It is experienced, again and again through the joys and challenges that are a part of saying ‘yes’ to Christ’s call.”

Deacon Kenneth Michaels, 67, and his late wife, Judith Tyde-Michaels, have one daughter in her 20s.

The Island Lake lawyer and law professor will minister at Transfiguration Parish, Wauconda.

Formation showed him “the need each of us has to reach within ourselves and with others to find God within and around us,” he said. “Second, it has opened a rich history of the Jewish faith; [the] extraordinary life of Jesus and his death to redeem us; and [the] revelation of Catholic doctrine through the church. Third, it has led to a path of peace in a world filled with heightening chaos, evil and hate.”

He intends to promote liturgy in his parish, as well as increase opportunities for public prayer and to champion the benefits and necessity of private prayer.

Deacon Francisco Naranjo, 57, and his wife, Martha, have two children in their 30s.

A production supervisor from Mount Prospect, Naranjo will serve at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Des Plaines.

He is looking forward to “being involved in the needs of the community.”

“It’s in my heart to serve in the name of God, and this feeling came before the formation started,” he said. “It has been in me all the time to serve with love.”

He intends to continue his ministry in the shrine’s catechetical programs.

Deacon Alfredo Yépez, 51, and his wife, Lizette, have four children ranging in age from 18 to 32.

A stationary engineer from Little Village, Yépez will serve Cristo Rey Parish, 2735 S. Kolin Ave. He plans to work with Precana ministry.

The best part of formation, he said, was getting to know his fellow students. He learned “to serve with compassion and humility. Respect and love the difference between all the people.”