Chicagoland

Our deacon community increases by 15

By Catholic New World
Sunday, June 6, 2010

Fifteen men joined the largest U.S. diaconate community when Cardinal George ordained them permanent deacons May 23 at Holy Name Cathedral.

The newly ordained deacons completed a four-year program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary that included classes in theology, pastoral ministry, spiritual formation and communication and collaboration.

More than 95 percent of the archdiocese’s deacons are married with families and most are also engaged in outside occupations. They are clergy, along with priests and bishops.

The ministries that deacons perform include the teaching mission of the church, caring for the poor, performing baptisms and marriages, conducting funeral liturgies, presiding at wake services and assisting the priest at Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, leading intercessions, preparing the altar and intoning the dismissal.

The new deacons and their wives are:

■ Thomas and Pamela Adams, St. Patrick Parish, Wadsworth.

Adams, 56, is a financial analyst. The Adamses have five children: Emily 31; Mary, 30; Douglas, 28; Sarah, 27; and William 25.

After ordination, Adams said he plans to focus on adult religious education, serving the poor of the local community through Zion Faith Food Pantry and exploring the creation of a potential outreach to children of the poor who need tutoring.

■ Gregory and Deborah Beeber, St. Edna Parish, Arlington Heights.

Beeber, 45, works as chief engineer for Parker Hannifin Corp.

The Beebers have three children: Austin, 17; Travis, 14; and Cody, 10.

Several years ago, the Beebers started a puppet ministry at St. Edna and Gregory said “one of our main focuses will be in continuing this ministry. We also plan on taking the puppet shows and ministry to other parishes throughout the archdiocese after ordination.”

The couple’s long-term plans are to organize a tutoring program for middle school and high school aged kids in the local community who cannot otherwise afford this assistance.

■ Robert and Barbara Cislo, St. Linus Parish, Oak Lawn.

Cislo, 36, teaches theology at Mother McAuley High School. The Cislos have two children Gianna, 2, and Bobby, 6 months.

Cislo said he planned to be involved with baptisms and baptismal preparation.

■ William and Sally Doerr, St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish, Matteson.

Doerr, 50, works as a purchasing manager. The couple has three children: Ben, 23; Dan, 20; and Pete, 18.

Following ordination, Doerr said he plans on being involved with baptismal preparation, RCIA and PADS.

■ Guy and Cindy Grabiec, St. Damian Parish, Oak Forest.

Grabiec, 49, works as an automotive repair shop manager. The Grabiecs have three children: Jason, 26; Corey, 23; and Jenna, 21.

Grabiec said he would like to work in family ministry, particularly gang violence.

■ Gerald Keenan and Katherine Janega, Sacred Heart Parish, Winnetka.

Keenan, 57, works as a management consultant. The couple has one son, Matthew, 25.

Following ordination, Keenan said he would like to continue working with Sacred Heart’s twinning relationship with St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Haiti; teaching and working with the parish’s young families interested in participating more fully in parish life; and longtime parishioners interested in passing on the parish’s identity and traditions.

■ David Keene and Erin Shields, St. Josaphat Parish, 2311 N. Southport Ave.

Keene, 56, works as an archaeologist and historic preservation specialist. The couple has three children: James, 17; Shannon, 14; and Thomas, 14.

Keene said he would like to get more involved with St. Josaphat’s sharing parish after ordination.

■ Mariusz and Wiola Kosla, St. John Brebeuf Parish, Niles.

Mariusz, 35, is a clinical nurse specialist for intensive care at St. Alexius Medical Center and the assistant director of music and liturgy at St. John Brebeuf. The couple has two children: Natalia, 10; and Marcelina, 9.

After ordination, Kosla said he would like to continue coordinating the baptismal preparation program, facilitating formation of various parish liturgical ministries, work on developing a marriage ministry program and begin prison ministry.

 Gary and Barb Kupsak, St. Mary of the Annunciation, Mundelein.

Kupsak, 62, is a retired police chief currently working for the Lake County Sheriff ’s Department (Court Security Division). The Kupsaks have two children: Todd, 38, and Andy, 32.

After ordination, he plans on being involved with baptismal preparation, sharing parish, parish seniors, the Lake County jail and the Illinois Department of Corrections Prison Ministry.

■ Jozef and Martha Mika, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Streamwood.

Mika, 50, was born in Poland and came to the United States. when he was 21. He works as a machinery assembler and service technician.

Mika said he would like to work with marriage preparation, visiting the sick or assisting the homebound following ordination.

■ Rob and Janel Morris, St. Cajetan Parish, 2443 W. 112th St.

Morris, 37, works as a Chicago firefighter. The couple has five children: Michael, 8; Ian, 6; Daniel, 4; Mary, 2; and Stephen, infant.

Once ordained Morris is hoping to start up more outreach programs inside the parish. He also is looking forward to working with newly engaged couples and “baptizing as many babies as they throw at me,” he said.

■ Michael and Lisa Pindelski, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orland Park.

Pindelski, 48, works as an accountant. The couple has three children: Michael Jr., 21; Andrew, 20; and Laura, 18.

Pindelski would like to minister in marriage enrichment and continue his involvement with the RCIA and Christ Renews His Parish following ordination.

■ Thomas and Linda Rzendzian, Sacred Heart Parish, Palos Hills.

Rzendzian, 56, is a sales manager for a food and beverage packaging company. The couple has two children: Amanda, 30, and Jennifer, 27.

Rzendzian said he would like to work in marriage ministry and with the poor in the community following ordination. “I am open to where the Holy Spirit may lead me,” Rzendzian said.

■ William Smyser and Nelida Smyser-DeLeon, St. Aloysius Parish, 2300 W. Le Moyne St.

Smyser, 52, works as a business development manager for Global Recruiters Network. The couple has three children: Joshua, 20; Alexis, 14; and Samantha, 14.

After ordination, Smyser said he hopes to be involved with adult spiritual formation programs and marriage preparation.

■ Emil and Sandra Vasek, St. Kieran Parish, Chicago Heights.

Vasek, 56, works as a district sales manager for Illinois Tool Works. The Vaseks have two children: Jason, 29, and Stacy, 25.

Vasek said he would like to pursue ministry to the elderly, especially the homebound and those in nursing homes following ordination.

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