Nineteen permanent deacons were ordained May 13 at Holy Name Cathedral. Cardinal Cupich celebrated the ordination Mass. The newly ordained deacons will be assigned to parishes in Bartlett, Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Lake Villa, Melrose Park, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Wilmette. Deacons assist the bishop and his 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 holy Communion, witnessing marriages and conducting wake and funeral services. Deacons also identify the needs of 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 program through the Institute for Diaconal Studies or the Instituto de Liderazgo Pastoral for Spanish speakers, both located 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. The new deacons are: Deacon Sergio Campos-Cruz San José Luis Sánchez del Río Parish Deacon Sergio Campos-Cruz, 47, was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. He and his wife, Rosa Maria Sánchez, have three children ranging in age from 16 to 23. Campos-Cruz has worked for the same company for 15 years, currently as a driver and merchandise organizer. He and his wife have been involved in ministry, especially in decorations for each celebration of the liturgical year and in other parish activities. Deacon Miguel Ángel Cruz St. Cecilia, Mount Prospect Deacon Miguel Ángel Cruz, 54, was born in Jalisco, Mexico. He and his wife, Maria Guadalupe Cruz, have seven adult children, ranging in age from 19 to 35. Cruz has worked for more than 25 years for Ascher Brothers, Inc. He and his wife have been part of the parish’s couples group for the past 11 years. They also have collaborated as catechists for the parents of children in religious education and have served as extraordinary ministers of Communion at Mass and visiting the sick in the community. Deacon Abel Durán-Pérez Mary, Mother of Martyrs Parish, Des Plaines Deacon Abel Durán-Pérez, 39, was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. He and his wife, Maribel Ortiz Garcia, have two sons, ages 12 and 17. Durán-Pérez has worked for the same company for 17 years, and now is a warehouse supervisor for a forklift group. He and his family are involved in several parish ministries, and the pastor has been especially grateful for Durán-Pérez’s work coordinating liturgies and overseeing the livestreaming of Masses. Deacon Enrique García Our Lady of Czestochowa and Charity Parish, Cicero Deacon Enrique García, 55, was born in Jalisco, Mexico. He and his wife, Jovita Garcia, have four adult children. García, a supervisor of two departments in a company that offers mechanical finishing, serves in several ministries, focusing on learning what is directly related to the management of the liturgy. García also coordinates the RCIA ministry and pre-baptismal talks. Deacon Alan González St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Melrose Park Deacon Alan González, 40, was born in a rural area of Xochitepec, Morelos, Mexico, while his parents were working in the United States. He joined his sisters in the U.S. at age 19. He has worked for Butler National Golf Club since 2003. He has served his parish community as a lector and by visiting the sick, participating in the RCIA process for adults, giving pre-baptismal classes and teaching religious education and catechesis for parents. Since last year, he has been an acolyte. Deacon Santos Gutierrez Mother of the Americas Parish Deacon Santos Gutierrez, 42, is married to Susana Gutierrez and works as a school technology coordinator. He plans to minister in adult faith formation. His formation taught him about the role of deacons in the church, ministering in the areas of liturgy, the Word of God and charity. That “begins in the heart of the deacon as Jesus the Servant,” he said. Deacon Christopher Patrick Keefe Sts. Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish, Wilmette Deacon Christopher Patrick Keefe, 62, and his wife, Binh, have four daughters from 8 to 15 years old. Keefe, a contractor, plans to serve in bereavement ministry. Formation taught him the importance of humility in service, he said. The highlight of formation for him was learning from experienced deacons. Deacon Alberto Lagunas San José Luis Sánchez del Río Parish Deacon Alberto Lagunas, 50, was born in Coyoacán, Mexico City. He and his wife, Elvira Vázquez, have two adult children. Lagunas works at Noga Food in Franklin Park and participated in various ministries at his parish, including coordinating the readers at several weekly Masses. Deacon Ignacio Martínez Santa Maria del Popolo Parish, Mundelein Deacon Ignacio Martínez-Montoya, 42, was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. He and his wife, Ana González-Aguilar, have five sons, ages 2, 5, 7, 19 and 21. Martinez has worked in the construction and maintenance industry for 19 years. He has performed various ministries in the parish community, where he has been particularly involved as a catechist. He also is a member of the nocturnal adoration group and the School of the Cross. His wife and children also participate in the parish ministries. Deacon José Porfirio Mata Christ the King Parish Deacon José Porfirio Mata, 59, was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. He and his wife, Beatriz Mata, have five adult children. A delivery driver for the same company for more than 30 years, Mata ministers as a lector, facilitator of pre-baptismal classes and pre-Cana and other tasks. Deacon José M. Morales Our Lady of Unity Parish Deacon José M. Morales, 56, serves as assistant coordinator of youth faith formation at the St. Aloyisus Gonzaga site of Our Lady of Unity Parish. He has two young adult children. He found the formation program rewarding and challenging, he said. “All throughout the past four years, I have been treated to a snapshot of the endless wisdom contained in the teachings of the Catholic Church,” Morales said. “I have tried my best to take it all in, challenging myself in the process to remain humble and open to what God is asking of me. The biggest challenge has been to avoid making it about myself, for we are being formed for serving God in his church and for his glory.” Deacon Peter Pham Holy Child Jesus Parish Deacon Peter Pham, 62, and his wife, T. Hoang Mai Pham, have two adult sons. Through the formation process, he learned that vocation is about God’s call more than his preferences. “It’s a journey of receiving God’s calling more deeply,” Pham said. “Through the formation, I had recognized that I did not choose the Lord, but he is the one that chose me to be his servant; to serve the church and her people. He has shed the light on my path and helped me to overcome obstacles and challenges.” Deacon Michael Platt St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish, Prospect Heights Deacon Michael Platt, 59, and his wife, Pamela, have four adult children. Platt, a mechanical engineer, said he wants to help make his parish more vibrant and vital. “I want to help people to want to come back to church, to come back to the Catholic faith,” Platt said. “I would like to get back into adult formation and Bible study, as well as I plan to continue my work in our PADS [temporary shelter] ministry.” Deacon John A. Porter St. Peter Damian Parish, Bartlett Deacon John A. Porter, 58, and his wife, Rozanne, have an adult son. Porter, who is retired, said he learned how to trust more in God during his formation experience. “If I am meant to be a deacon, God will pave the way for me,” Porter said. “During aspirancy and candidate path Year 1, my mother was diagnosed with cancer, and I was required to take her to doctors, set up home hospice, oversee her caregivers, etc. I was also working at the time, and I was worried that my plate was full and, thus, I withdrew from the program. Over the weekend following my withdrawal, my wife and I felt that something was missing, and we decided to return to formation and trust that God will provide a way if I am called to be a deacon. I was able to meet all my class and other program requirements whilst also meeting my professional and personal commitments to my family and mother.” Deacon George Schmelter Prince of Peace Parish, Lake Villa Deacon George Schmelter, 59, and his wife, Kristin, have two adult children. Schmelter, who is retired, intends to minister in evangelization and catechesis. Formation helped him understand his faith and learn about the history of the church, he said. “Formation has helped me to go deeper in my prayer life and spend more time with Scripture,” he said. “I have come to appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare liturgies and how hard our parish staff work!” Deacon Jacek Sosin St. Thomas Becket Parish, Mount Prospect Deacon Jacek Sosin, 53, and his wife, Renata, have been married 27 years and have four children, from 12 to 26 years old. Sosin, co-owner of a small business, has been very involved in his parish for years, serving as a lector, an extraordinary minister of Communion, a minister of care and a catechist. Along with his wife, he has led confirmation classes, baptismal preparation and marriage preparation sessions. Diaconate formation, he said, helped him “to see and appreciate the treasures of our Catholic faith.” Deacon Emilio Trejo St. Colette Parish, Rolling Meadows Deacon Emilio Trejo, 49, was born in Quiringüicharo, Michoacán, Mexico. He and his wife, María de la Luz Leyva Capetillo, have two adult sons. Trejo works as a driver. He serves as an extraordinary minister of Communion and lector at St. Colette Parish. He has developed various ministries, including participating as a sacristan and assisting with pre-baptismal preparation. Deacon Eduardo Vázquez Holy Spirit Parish, Schaumburg Deacon Eduardo Vázquez, 59, was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He and his wife, Aurora Rosas Vega, have three young adult children. Deacon Vazquez has worked in the aluminum door and window hardware manufacturing industry for nearly 30 years. His pastor considers him a dedicated and responsible parish leader. He was a catechist and currently, with his wife and children, he serves in various ministries such as coordinating liturgical preparation for Sunday Mass, religious education and the youth group. Deacon Leonardo Victor Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Des Plaines Deacon Leonardo Victor, 51, was born in Michoacán, Mexico. He and his wife, Maria Guadalupe Delgado, have two children and three grandchildren. Victor has his own company, working as a heating technician. He and his family participate in several ministries at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which they have attended for 28 years. The following men were ordained transitional deacons, which precedes ordination to priesthood: Deacon Timothy Berryhill, who will do summer Spanish studies in Antigua, Guatemala, followed by diaconate assignment at Our Lady of Mercy. Deacon Juan Carlos Vargas Carrillo, who will minister at St. Edward. Deacon Martin Konrad Nyberg, who will do summer Spanish studies in Antigua, Guatemala, followed by diaconate assignment at St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge. Deacon Andrew Panzer, SJC, who will minister at St. John Cantius.
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Deacons’ donation to help newly arrived Ukrainian students St. Nicholas Cathedral School Principal Anna Cirilli and St. Nicholas Cathedral rector Father Serhiy Kovalchuk accepted a check for $10,000 from Catholic deacons in the Archdiocese of Chicago to help children who have recently arrived from Ukraine.
Podcast: The Diaconate in Chicago Deacon James Norman, the new vicar for deacons for the Archdiocese of Chicago, is this week's guest.