Deacon Ordination
A new class of permanent and transitional deacons were ordained on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Holy Name Cathedral.
A Catholic deacon is one who is ordained to diakonia, that is, a service to God’s People in communion with the bishop and his body of priests. “The principal function of the deacon is to collaborate with the bishop and the priests in the exercise of a ministry which is not of their own wisdom but of the Word of God, calling all to conversion and holiness” (National Directory, USCCB, 2005, p. 16-17).
The newly ordained deacons will 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.
2023 Deacons Cohort
*For those men who are married, we pray also for their wives: a precious support to the diaconate ministry. For married deacons, through his sacramental participation in both vocational sacraments, first in Matrimony, and again in Holy Orders, he must live out both sacraments in harmony and balance. In fact, married candidates to the diaconate must obtain consent and permission from their wives. And throughout his ministry as deacon, he is supported by his wife.
Deacon Sergio Campos Cruz and Rosa Maria Sanchez - San José Luis Sánchez del Río, Chicago
Deacon Miguel Cruz and Maria Guadalupe Cruz - St. Cecilia, Mount Prospect
Deacon Abel Duran Pérez and Maribel Ortiz-Garcia - Mary, Mother of Martyrs, Des Plaines
Deacon Enrique Garcia and Jovita Garcia - Our Lady of Czestochowa and Charity, Cicero
Deacon Alan Gonzalez - St. Charles Borromeo, Melrose Park
Deacon Santos and Susana Gutierrez - Mother of the Americas, Chicago
Deacon Christopher and Binh Keefe - St. Joseph & Francis Xavier, Wilmette
Deacon Alberto Lagunas and Elvira Vazquez - San Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, Chicago
Deacon Ignacio Martinez and Ana Gonzalez-Aguilar - Santa María del Popolo, Mundelein
Deacon Jose and Beatriz Mata - Cristo Rey, Chicago
Deacon Jose Morales - Our Lady of Unity, Chicago
Deacon Peter and T. Hoang Mai Pham - Holy Child Jesus, Chicago
Deacon Michael and Pamela Platt - St. Alphonsus Liguori, Prospect Heights
Deacon John and Rozanne Porter - St. Peter Damian, Bartlett
Deacon George and Kristin Schmelter - Prince of Peace, Lake Villa
Deacon Jacek and Renata Sosin - St. Thomas Becket, Mount Prospect
Deacon Emilio Trejo and Maria de la Luz Leyva Capetillo, St. Colette, Rolling Meadows
Deacon Eduardo Vazquez and Aurora Rosas Vega- Church of the Holy Spirit, Schaumburg
Deacon Leonardo Victor and Ma Guadalupe Delgado - Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Des Plaines
Transitional deacons:
Timothy Berryhill
Juan Carlos Vargas Carrillo
Martin Konrad Nyberg
Br. Andrew Panzer, SJC
