Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will ordain 18 men into the permanent diaconate at the May 25 ceremony at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights.
Here are biographies about the men and their families who are enhancing the mission of the Church and assisting God’s people, including the plans for the first Masses of thanksgiving in their home parishes:
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Joseph C. Chu, 64, of St. Anastasia parish, Douglaston, was born in Hong Kong. He and his wife, Mindy, have been married for 37 years and they have one daughter.
He is involved in his parish’s adult choir, and the parish council, as well as being a lector and a Eucharistic minister.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Anastasia’s Church, on Sunday, June 9, at 12 p.m..
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Francis Cuffie, 61, a member of Holy Cross parish, Flatbush, was born in Grenada. He has been married to his wife, Wendy, for 12 years and they have two children.
He is employed as a community security officer for Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District.
He is involved in the Charismatic movement, Evangelization, Bible study, and also is a lector and acolyte.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, on Sunday, May 26, at 11:30 a.m.
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Gerard Joseph Devine, 62, is a member of Holy Name parish, Windsor Terrace, who was born in Ireland. He has been married to his wife, MaryRose, for 38 years.
He is the Vice President at Global Pershing LLC.
In his parish, he is active as a Eucharist minister, lector, President of the Holy Name Society, and he helps out in the food pantry.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Holy Name Church on Sunday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m.
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Michael Brian Fogarty, 66, is a member of St. Fidelis parish, College Point.
Born in Manhattan, he and his wife, Joanne, have been married for nine years. They have one son.
He is an ironworker for Tower Installation LLC. He assists in his parish as a lector, Eucharistic minster and he serves the homeless, as well as being the Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts Troop #18.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Fidelis Church on Sunday, May 26, at 12 p.m..
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Amerito Catiwalaan Gerodias, 54, a member of Most Precious Blood parish, Astoria, was born in the Philippines. He has been married to his wife, Concepcion, for 25 years and they have two children.
He is an occupational therapist for Dry Harbor Nursing Home. He is active in his parish as a lector, acolyte, Eucharistic minster.
He also is the coordinator of the Filipino community and is involved in music ministry and hospital visitation for the sick.
A Mass of thanksgiving at Most Precious Blood Church will be celebrated on Sunday, May 26, at 5 p.m.
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James John Giorgio, 58, is a member of Resurrection parish, Gerritsen Beach.
Born in Brooklyn, he has been married to Margaret for 30 years and they have two children.
He retired as a detective from the NYPD. He is active in his parish as a lector, Eucharistic minister, catechist, and acolyte.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Resurrection Church on Sunday, May 26, at 11 a.m.
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Francisco González Calderón Jr., 59, of St. Mark’s parish, Sheepshead Bay, was born in Manhattan.
He and his wife, Neomara, have been married for 13 years and have three children.
He is retired from the NYC Department of Sanitation. A Eucharistic minister, and acolyte , he also brings Communion to the elderly living in a nursing home.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Mark’s Church on Sunday, May 26, at 12:30 p.m.
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John Charles Hardy, 56, is a member of Resurrection parish, Gerritsen Beach.
Born in Brooklyn, he has been married to his wife, Linda, for 35 years. They have three children.
He is active as a lector, Eucharistic minister, parish trustee, sacristan, and in hospital pastoral care ministry.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Resurrection Church on Sunday, May 26, at 11 a.m.
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Anwar Iqbal, 64, of St. Rose of Lima parish, Brooklyn, was born in Pakistan.
He has been married to Theresa for 28 years and they have one son.
Sacristan in Mary Queen of Heaven parish, Mill Basin, he is active in his parish as a lector, acolyte, and Eucharistic minister, as well as being involved in youth ministry.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary on Sunday, June 2, at 4:30 p.m.
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Gilberto Laboy, 60, is a member of Our Lady of the Cenacle parish, Richmond Hill.
Born in Puerto Rico, he has been married to his wife, Luz, for 16 years and they have five children.
He is a manager at Milton Sokol & Co. He is active in his parish as a Eucharistic minister, lector, acolyte and is part of the Holy Family Group.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Cenacle Church on Sunday, May 26, at 10 a.m.
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Andrzej Lewandowski, 65, is a member of Transfiguration – St. Stanislaus Kostka parish, Maspeth.
Born in Poland, he has been married to his wife, Maria, for 36 years and they have four children.
He is a newspaper distributor for a European firm. He ministers in his parish as a lector, acolyte, Eucharistic minister and is a leader of the Friends of Radio Maryja.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Transfiguration Church on Sunday, May 26, at 12:30 p.m.
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Giovanni Messina, 52, is a member of St. Francis of Assisi parish, Astoria.
Born in Queens, he has been married to his wife, Michelina, for 26 years and they have two children.
He is the office manager and Co-Owner of Messina Asphalt Corp.
Active in his parish as a Eucharistic minister, and a lector, he also brings Communion to the home bound, and is a member of the Children’s Liturgy Committee, Parish Festival Committee, Corpus Christi Committee, and Vocations Committee.
A Mass of thanksgiving at St. Francis of Assisi Church will be celebrated Sunday, June 2, at 12:30 p.m.
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Hugo Antonio Morel, 60, is a member of SS. Peter and Paul parish, Williamsburg.
Born in the Dominican Republic, he has been married to his wife, Juliette, for seven years and they have two children.
He is a service coordinator for Community Access. He is active in his parish as a coordinator of the New Evangelization, and as a Eucharistic minister, he brings Communion to the sick. He also the parish with baptisms.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at SS. Peter and Paul on Sunday, June 2, at 11:45 a.m.
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Rachid Murad, 46, is a member of Holy Trinity parish, Whitestone.
Born in Manhattan, he has been married to his wife, Ianthe for 17 years. They have three children.
He is the director of religious education in Our Lady of Angels parish, Bay Ridge, and he is active in his parish as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He also is a Baptism instructor, Virtus facilitator and is involved in RCIA.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, June 2, at 11 a.m.
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Alfredo Rendón, 52, is a member of Immaculate Conception parish, Astoria.
Born in Mexico, he and his wife, Lorenza, have been married for 30 years. They have two children.
He is the owner of Xtra Tire Shop.
He is involved in the Charismatic group of his parish and Christian Marriage Movement.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church on Sunday, May 26, at 12 p.m..
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Danny Rodríguez, 57, is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish, Sunset Park.
Born in Brooklyn, he has been married to his wife, Anilda, for 12 years and they have six children.
He is active in his parish as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and an acolyte. He also is active with ministry to the homebound, and teaches baptism classes.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica on Sunday, May 26, at 10:15 a.m.
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Phillip Rodríguez, 64, is a member of St. Martin of Tours parish, Bushwick.
Born in Brooklyn, he has been married to his wife, Esther, for 38 years and they have two children.
He retired as a patient advocate for NYU Langone Medical Center.
He is involved in his parish as a lector, Eucharistic minister, altar server, coordinator of the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass, a faith formation teacher of those preparing for Confirmation and he is involved in the parish council.
A Mass of thanksgiving at St. Martin of Tours Church will be celebrated on Sunday, May 26, at 9 a.m.
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Bill Velasquez, 59, is a member of St. Mary Gate of Heaven parish, Ozone Park.
Born in Brooklyn, he has been married to his wife, Jennie, for 38 years. They have two daughters.
He is the HR Director for Heaven’s Hands Community Services.
He is active in his parish as a Eucharistic minister, lector and is part of the RCIA volunteer team.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church on Sunday, May 26, at 11 a.m.
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Peter Y. Okajima, 58, also will be ordained as a Transitional Deacon studying for the Brooklyn Diocese at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Massachusetts.
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