Deacon Ordination 2021

Twenty-five men spent the past five years in preparation for this vocation. Each one responded to the call to serve the church in a specific way.

In his homily, Bishop Weisenbuger emphasized the importance of serving together as Deacons for the kingdom of God. He went on to say:
"Gentlemen, this is what I need from you.  But far more importantly it’s what the people of God needs from you.  And so, recognize in this Ordination rite … in its Scripture readings, its prayer, its sacramental gestures and actions—the truth that:  today you are entering into an ORDER [an “Order” where your ministry will sink its roots], and in collaborating with one another—as well as our priests and your bishops—know that something beautiful for the Lord will flourish."

The beauty of the Mass continued with the Prayer of Dedication. It says in part: 
By prayer and the laying on of hands
they entrusted to these chosen men the ministry of serving at table.
 
We beseech you, Lord:
look with favor on these servants of yours
who will minister at your holy altar
and whom we now humbly dedicate to the office of Deacon.
 
Send forth upon them, Lord, we pray,
the Holy Spirit,
that they may be strengthened
by the gift of your sevenfold grace
for the faithful carrying out
of the work of the ministry.
 
May there abound in them every Gospel virtue:
unfeigned love,
concern for the sick and poor,
unassuming authority,
the purity of innocence,
and the observance of spiritual discipline.

These men were ordained deacons on June 5th and 12th. The Mass celebrations took place at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson and St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Yuma. The Deacons were accompanied by their loved ones in the celebrations.

• Adelio Javier Abrugena -Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson
• Jesus Robert Aguilar – St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma
• Victor Manuel Alvidrez – St. Bernard, Pirtleville
• William Vernon Buhs – St. Odilia, Tucson
• David Caballero Navarro – Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson
• Joe Campbell – St. John Neumann, Yuma
• Alejandro Coria – St. Anthony of Padua, Casa Grande
• Michael Denton, St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista
• Mark Drost, St. Anthony of Padua, Casa Grande
• Alfonso Faustino Gallardo – St. Joseph, Tucson
• Mark Eugene Hohbein – St. Ambrose, Tucson
• Henry Krzysik, Jr. – Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson
• Juan Nazario Lomeli – St. Jude Thaddeus, San Luis 
• Ernesto Ramiro Lujan, Sr. – Santa Cruz, Tucson
• Roger Maidman – Our Lady of Grace, Maricopa
• Hector Martinez – St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma
• Todd Mencke – St. Odilia, Tucson
• Alejandro Ochoa – Our Lady of Fatima, Tucson
• Joel Olea, Immaculate Concepcion, Yuma
• Alejandro Ortega – St. Joseph the Worker, Wellton
• William Polakowski – St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista
• Paul Aloysius Rokosz – St. George, Apache Junction
• Todd Taylor – St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma
• Jesus Vasquez – Our Lady of Grace, Maricopa
• Brian Walsh – St. Anthony of Padua, Casa Grande