A grateful diaconal bow to shiny new Deacon John Eric Munson, who sent me this happy news:
Ten men were ordained as permanent deacons, and one was ordained as a transitional deacon at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Sunday, June 14th, 2020.
This service was unlike others as due to social distancing measures, in person-participation at the ordination Mass was limited to those needed for the celebration, which includes those being ordained and the required clergy. The public was able to watch the ceremony via live-stream on the diocesan website.
Newly Ordained Deacons:
Paul Jesus Campos
Manuel Parraz Chavez
Margarito Edward Fierro
Roberto Garcia
Kevin James Hogan
Francis Kwabena Gyau (Transitional Deacon)
Ramon Alberto Lozano
Fernando Salazar
Richard Romos Maynes, Jr
John Eric Munson
Randolf Fredric Rivas
As Deacon Munson explained:
Our class had been slated for ordination May 23rd but our canonical retreat and ordination Mass were both postponed indefinitely mid-March when New Mexico rolled out the stay at home order with business and school closures. When our governor moved to the partial, 25% occupancy reopening for retail and houses of worship in mid-May, Bishop [Peter] Baldacchino decided to ordain our class with the previously scheduled ordination of one of our seminarians, Francis Gyau.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
