On Saturday, Cardinal Blaise Cupich ordained 20 men to the order of deacon at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral.
“As Pope Francis has said, ‘deacons are the guardians of service in the Church’ and they serve the people of God with humility and joy and see Jesus in everyone, especially the poor and needy, the indigent and the withdrawn,” said Cardinal Cupich. “I’m grateful to these men, who, with the support of their wives, are answering the call to minister faithfully to their communities.”
In the Catholic Church, deacons preparing for the priesthood are known as transitional deacons. They are seminarians ordained after their third year of theology studies at Mundelein Seminary, and will return for one more year of studies as deacons before ordination to the priesthood in 2022. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained permanent deacons, and single men may be ordained as permanent deacons with a commitment to celibacy.
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.
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 Saint 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 program is mandated by both the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Please see below for the list of this year’s candidates for the diaconate
Permanent deacons, their wives, if married, and home parishes
Deacon Moyossola Jean-Arno Boussari and Trisha – St. Colette Parish, Rolling Meadows
Deacon Lekë and Blandina Brisku – Sts. Martha and Isaac Jogues Parish, Morton Grove
Deacon Juan Carlos Diaz-Maravilla – Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Chicago
Deacon John A. Haderlein – Most Blessed Trinity Parish, Waukegan
Deacon Jim and Sandy Katula – St. Damian Parish, Oak Forest
Deacon Andrew and Jennifer Kim – St. Theresa Parish, Palatine
Deacon Joe and Janet McCain -– St. John the Evangelist Parish, Streamwood
Deacon Francisco and María Olivia Medina – Blessed Sacrament Parish, Chicago
Deacon Kevin and Deidre Morgan – St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Parish, Oak Park
Deacon Francis and Lisa Pendergast III – St. Alexander Parish, Palos Heights
Deacon Sam and Kari Resch – St. James Parish, Arlington Heights
Deacon Roberto and Patricia Reyes – St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Blue Island
Deacon Manuel and Eva Ruiz – Our Lady of the Heights Parish, Chicago Heights
Deacon John “Jack” and Patti Jo Ruskin -– Prince of Peace Parish, Lake Villa
Deacon Israel and Rosa María Santiago – Transfiguration Parish, Wauconda
Deacon Krzysztof and Mariola Słowikowski – St. John Brebeuf Parish, Niles
Deacon John F. Sobol – St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Orland Hills
Deacon Raymond and Pearle Liza Torralba – St. Padre Pio Parish, Chicago
Deacon Victor and Maullury Uruchima – Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Chicago
Deacon Brian and Carolyn Whiteford – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orland Park
The Archdiocese of Chicago has the largest Catholic diaconate community in the world with 514 active deacons involved in 210 parishes and agencies. Since 1972, the archdiocese has ordained 1,464 men as permanent deacons. Active, retired and inactive deacons total 706, while another 70 Chicago deacons serve in dioceses around the country – from Florida to California.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
