Twelve men will be ordained to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, May 27, by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights. Last weekend, the men and their wives made their final day of recollection together at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, as part of their preparation for ordination. From left, the candidates are, front row: Michael Saez, Alfredo Castellanos, Rodrigo Mendez, Kevin McLaughlin and Thomas E. Jorge, and back row: Fabio Parra, Carlos Pichardo, Joseph Freda, Rafael Cabrera, Kevin Hughes, Antonio J. Gonzalez, and John DeBiase.

(Photo: Melissa Enaje)