Congratulations to our deacons celebrating jubilees

In this section, we recognize the deacons serving in the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrating jubilees this year. Deacons assist the bishop and  priests in ministries of the word, liturgy and charity. Deacons also identify the needs of the poor and underserved, and shepherd the church’s resources to meet those needs. We thank them for their service and congratulate them on their anniversaries.

50 years

Deacon Enrique Alsonso, 88, and his wife, Juana Vazquez, have five children.

Born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, he studied English at Lakeview High School, earned a GED and studied at community colleges before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Hispanic ministry at Mundelein College and a master’s degree from Loyola University’s Institute of Pastoral Studies.

He ministered at St. Sebastian (1975-1981) and Our Lady of Grace (1982-2017), as well as working in religious education at Maternity BVM (1983-1985).

Alonso also served as associate director of diaconate formation, director of Instituto Liderazgo Pastoral, associate director of the Vicar for Deacons office and president of the National Association of Hispanic Deacons.

Deacon Esteban Cruz, 84, is married to Fermina.

Since 2006, he has ministered at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Kissimmee, Florida, by assisting at liturgies and funerals and doing radio ministry.

Deacon Bienvenido Nieves, 85, and his wife, Maria, have five children.

He was born in Patillas, Puerto Rico, and attended elementary school there. He earned his GED through a program created for men studying for the diaconate, and had training in electricity and plumbing.

He entered the diaconate program in 1970 at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, the first permanent diaconate program in the archdiocese. He had to wait until 1975 to be ordained because of his age.

He ministered at St. Sylvester (1975-1989), St. Jospaphat (1989-1998) and Queen of Angels (1998-2020), where he is deacon emeritus.

He has ministered in liturgy and religious education as well as social justice, and offering citizenship classes at Queen of Angels. He has been active in the Legion of Mary since arriving in New York from Puerto Rico in 1959, and was connected with Puerto Rican social and community groups in Chicago. He received the St. Stephen Award in recognition of his dedication to Hispanic ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2018.

Deacon Luis Perez, 83, is married to Juanita.

He ministered at Santa Maria Addolorata Parish before he retired.

25 years

Deacon Ignacio Alvarez, 83, and his wife, Beatrice have four children.

Born in Tingüindín, Michoacan, Mexico, Alvarez attended elementary and secondary school there. In Chicago, he studied at Daley College and Chicago State University, earning a degree in business administration, and he served in the U.S. Army for 24 years before retiring.

He has ministered at St. Rita of Cascia (2000-2009), St. Toribio (2009-2018) and St. Blase/Blessed Martyrs of Chimbote Parish, Summit (2018-2025). He enjoys preparing parishioners for baptisms and weddings, and was a representative on the diaconate board.

Deacon Jesus Blanco, 72, was born in Cicero and is married to Rita.

He ministers at St. Mary of the Five Wounds Parish, doing home visits, working with the men’s group and youth groups, doing baptismal preparation and leading prayer groups.

Deacon Larry Chyba, 70, and his wife, Mary Lynn, have three sons.

Chyba was born in Chicago and attended St. Bruno School and Kelly High School.

He has ministered at St. Bruno (2000-2009), St. Richard (2009-2022) and Sts. Bruno and Richard (2022-present).

He ministers with the teen club, marriage and baptismal preparation, and has helped at the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels, Aid for Women and Zacchaeus House, among other organizations. He has also served on the parish finance council and served as a construction consultant for parishes and non-profit organizations.

Deacon Roscoe Dixon, 77, is retired.

The Hazel Crest native served at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, doing Bible studies, adult education, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and visiting in hospitals and nursing homes.

Deacon Richard Moritz, 70, was born in Evanston. He is married to his wife, Carol.

Moritz attended St. Joseph School, Wilmette; New Trier Township High School East; Harper College; and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering.

He ministered at Immaculate Conception (Talcott Avenue) (2000-2011, 2013-present) and St. Lambert, Skokie (2011-2013).

He co-chairs the prolife committee, works in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, does baptismal preparation and leads Bible study.

Deacon James Multeri, 78, was born in Niagara Falls, New York. He and his wife, Nan, have two children and four grandchildren.

He attended Catholic schools in Niagara Falls and Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he earned a degree in computer science.

He ministered at Holy Family, Inverness (2000-2005); St. Maximilian Kolbe, Orlando, Florida (2005-2012); St. Paul, Bloomington, Indiana (2012-2017); and Our Lady, Queen of the Universe, Huntsville, Alabama (2017-present).

At Our Lady, Queen of the Universe, he is assistant director of liturgy, liturgy training coordinator, marriage and baptismal preparation coordinator, director of care and parish tribunal advocate.

Deacon Ubaldo Muñoz, 86, was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He and his wife, Soccoro, have three children.

Muñoz was educated in Mexico and in the Truman College Extension Program.

He has ministered at St. Mary of the Lake (2000-2021) and Mary, Mother of God (2021-present).

He assists with baptismal preparation, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and Caminos de Emaus, among other things, and is a member of the Vicariate II Diaconate Council, vice president of the Association of Hispanic Deacons of Chicago and a council member for the National Association of Hispanic Deacons.

Deacon Jose M. Sandoval, 66, is married to Maria.

He ministers at Immaculate Conception-St. Michael Parish, doing baptismal and marriage preparation, leading Eucharist services and assisting at funerals.

Deacon James Sinacore, 73, and his wife, Patricia, have two sons.

He was born in Chicago and attended Burnham Elementary School and Morton East High School in Cicero. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in medical psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a doctorate in applied social psychology at Loyola University Chicago.

He ministered at Divine Infant, Westchester (2000-2003) and St. John Vianney, Northlake (2003-present).

In addition to assisting at Mass and preaching, he does outreach to college students, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the Divine Mercy Holy Hour, and baptismal preparation.

Deacon Michael Smith, 60, was born in Savoy, Illinois, where he now serves Holy Cross Parish.

His wife is Mary Sivett.

He does baptism and marriage preparation and hospital visits.

Deacon Melvin J. Stasinski, 74, and his wife, Sylvia, have two children,

Born in Schererville, Indiana, he attended St. Mary Magdalene School and Mendel Catholic High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University Chicago, a Master of Public Administration degree from Roosevelt University and a master’s in religious studies and theology from Mundelein College.

He ministered at St. Jude the Apostle, South Holland (2000-2019), and at Christ Our Savior, South Holland, since the parish was created in 2019.

In addition to assisting at Mass and preaching, he does sacramental preparation, liturgy planning and pilgrimages, coordinates the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and plans and leads devotions. He also has been an instructor in the Scripture School program operated by Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies.

Deacon Miguel Vargas, 60, was born in Hoffman Estates and is married to Graciela.

He ministers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, coordinating Precana and doing marriage preparation and working in family ministry.