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May 24, 2009

15 new permanent deacons to be ordained

Fifteen men are to join the ranks of the permanent deaconate for the Archdiocese of Chicago in an ordination rite May 24 at Queen of All Saints Basilica. Cardinal George was scheduled to ordain the men during Mass.

The ministry of deacon is longstanding one of service in the life of the Catholic Church. The U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults explains, “Through ordination the deacon is conformed to Christ, who came to serve, not to be served. In the Latin church, deacons may baptize, proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages and preside at funerals. They dedicate themselves to charitable endeavors, which was their ministerial role in New Testament times.”

The new deacons join more than 600 permanent deacons actively ministering in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Since 1972, the archdiocese has ordained 1,250 men as permanent deacons. The new deacons and their wives are:

  • ■ James and Nancy Minor, Prince of Peace Parish, 135 S. Milwaukee Ave. James Minor, 46, works as a youth minister. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.

    After ordination, the Minors, who live in Round Lake Beach, will work in adult faith formation and marriage ministry.

  • ■ Edward and Elaine Simola, St. William Parish, 2559 N. Sayre Ave. Edward Simola, 64, works as a receiving clerk. The couple has one daughter, Erica, and two grandchildren.

    While Edward’s plans are not finalized, he said he enjoyed working in social-service ministries during formation, such as working at soup kitchens and food banks.

  • ■ Franco and Silvia Foti, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, 4810 S. Leamington Ave. Franco Foti, 46, works as a systems analyst. The couple has two children: Alessandra, 14, and Gabriel, 10.

    Foti’s plans after ordination are a “work in progress,” he said. But he hopes to devote his time in the areas of sacrament formation and community outreach.

  • ■ Jeremy and Denise Carter, St. Patrick Parish, Wadsworth. Jeremy Carter, 35, coowns Britt Carter & Co. furniture store.

    The couple has three children: Michael, 14, Matthew, 12, and Meghann, 9.

    Carter said he plans to work on a peace and justice ministry at St. Patrick’s following ordination to “more effectively assist, coordinate and bring awareness to those in need.”

  • ■ Larry and Karen Schumacher, St. Theresa Parish, Palatine. Larry Schumacher, 51, works as an electrical engineer for Motorola. The couple has two children: Audrey, 33, and Melissa, 22, and two grandchildren.

    Schumacher’s plans following ordination are not finalized. He said that during his formation, he didn’t expect “the bonds that have been made with our fellow classmates.” “They have all helped me to become a better person,” he said.

  • ■ Tim and Lee Springer, St. Jude the Apostle Parish, South Holland. Tim Springer, 59, works as a vice president of sales at Black Industrial Supply Corp. The couple has four children: Matthew, 32, Sarah, 30, Emily, 27, and Megan, 24

    Following ordination, Springer will work in parish ministry, marriage preparation, with Momma’s Meals and FOCCUS.

  • ■ Donald and Roxanne Maiers, St. Marcelline Parish, Schaumburg. Donald Maiers, 42, works as a data warehousing professional. The couple has two children: Savannah, 16, and Shannon, 13.

    Donald said he will take on the baptism preparation ministry at St. Marcelline following his ordination. “Roxanne and I are also looking forward to supporting our religious education programs in any way that we can,” he said.

  • ■ Robert and Mary Jo Landuyt, Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge. Robert Landuyt, 51, works as a public safety coordinator at St. Xavier University. The couple has four children: Patricia, 28, Daniel, 25, Timothy, 22, Mark, 20, and Mykayla, 7.

    Following ordination, Robert said he plans to serve the parish “where needed, continue in music ministry, assist with catechesis in religious education ministry. I also want to be an advocate for foster or adoptive parents and ministries concerned with supporting families coping with mental illness.” He also hopes to be an advocate for victims of abuse and families of abused victims.

  • ■ John Orzechowski, Our Lady of the Ridge Parish, Chicago Ridge. John Orzechowski, 51, works in the field of home health-care products.

    After ordination, Orzechowski said he will work with the rite of Christian initiations of adults program at Our Lady of the Ridge Parish and with the Bible study program.

    The highlight of his formation process was the summer internship, he said. “It was a lot of work but very rewarding. I felt that it was a good way to see what the commitment of ministry work in the parish would be like,” he said. “I got to know the people at Our Lady of the Ridge in a deeper way.”

  • ■ Thomas and Diane Westerkamp, St. James Parish, Arlington Heights.

    Thomas Westerkamp, 55, works as a pharmacist. The couple has three children: Laura, 26, Michele, 24, and Christine, 20.

    Following his ordination, Westerkamp said he and his wife would be involved with the sick and homebound as ministers of care, and may assist with religious education.

  • ■ William and Andrea Schultz, St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr, Tinley Park.

    William Schultz, 59, works as a chief inspector and compliance officer at the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The couple has three children and four grandchildren.

    Follow ordination, Schultz said he wants to help out in the parish and continue his work with the addiction and recovery community.

  • ■ Joseph and Katherine Walsh, Ascension Parish, Oak Park.

    Joseph Walsh is a professor and dean emeritus for the School of Social work at Loyola University- Chicago. The couple has four children: David, 40, Laura, 39, Maureen, 38, Matthew, 35, and nine grandchildren.

    Joseph Walsh, 64, said he would be involved in sacramental activities with an emphasis on support of young marriages and families following ordination.

  • ■ Barry Edward and Kimberly Schliesmann, Ss. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka. Barry Schliesmann, 46, works as a technology executive. The couple has three children: Liam, 12, Annikka, 9, and Tomas, 8. Schliesmann’s plans after ordination weren’t finalized yet.

  • ■ Kevin Hill, St. John Brebeuf Parish, Niles. Kevin Hill, 63, works as an office assistant for the State of Illinois’ Department of Agriculture. He said that after ordination, he plans to work with the baptism preparation classes for English speakers and would work with the ministers of care and FOCCUS.

  • ■ Allen and Stephanie Tatara, St. Hubert Parish, Hoffman Estates. Allen Tatara, 45, works as a marketing manager. The couple has three children: Joseph, 17, Daniel, 15, and Nathan, 15.

    Tatara said he would work with the youth ministry program following his ordination and as a lector coordinator and trainer.