Twelve men will be ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights, on Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m.
Here are short biographies of the new deacons along with plans for the first Masses of thanksgiving in their home parishes:
Rafael Cabrera, a member of St. Martin of Tours parish, Bushwick, was born in the Dominican Republic. He has been married to Elizabeth for 19 years and they have two children. He works as an air conditioning technician.
He is active in his parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and as a member of the Faith Formation team.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Martin of Tours Church on Saturday, June 3, at 1 p.m.
Alfredo Castellanos, a member of St. Pius V parish, Jamaica, was born in Mexico. He has been married to Mercedes for 25 years and they have three children. He is an internal combustion technician.
He is active in his parish in the Hispanic Committee, RCIA, the Parish Pastoral Council, Guadalupano Committee, and serves as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Pius V Church on Sunday, May 28, at 11 a.m.
John Francis DeBiase, a member of St. Margaret parish, Middle Village, is a native of Queens. He has been married to Sheila for 30 years and they have three children. He is Executive Director of the Association for Neurologically Impaired Brain Injured Children (ANIBIC).
He is active in his parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a lector, CCD teacher and is active in the ministry to the sick and disabled.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church on Saturday, May 28, at noon.
Joseph Freda, a member of St. Mel parish, Flushing, was born in Queens. He has been married to Annette for 25 years and they have three children.
He works in advertising sales. He is active in his parish as a lector, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and with Children’s Liturgy, Homebound Ministry, and Ministry of Consolation.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Mel Church on Sunday, May 28, at noon.
Antonio Jorge Gonzalez, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, Windsor Terrace, was born in Brooklyn. He has been married to Helen for 32 years and they have four children and six grandchildren.
He is the Director of Safety and Security for the Jewish Board. He is active in his parish as an acolyte, RCIA team member Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, lector, member of the Parish Planning Council, team Leader of Hispanic Ministry and team Leader of Levantate (Arise).
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Windsor Terrace, on Sunday, May 28, at 11:45 a.m.
Kevin F. Hughes, a member of Our Lady of the Snows parish, North Floral Park, was born in Queens.
He is a construction project manager. He is active in his parish as a lector, minister of hospitality, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a member of the school board.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Snows Church on Saturday, June 3, at 5 p.m.
Thomas Edward Jorge, a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish, Forest Hills, was born in Passaic, N.J. He has been married to Olga for 10 years.
A New York City public high school history teacher, he is active in his parish as a lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, catechist and performs baptismal intakes and classes, as well as RCIA classes.
A Mass of thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church on Sunday, May 28, at 1 p.m.
Kevin Matthew McLaughlin, a member of St. Ephrem parish, Dyker Heights, was born in Queens. He has been married to Debra for 12 years. They have two children and two grandchildren.
He is a telephone splicer for Verizon. He is active in his parish as a lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation catechist.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Ephrem Church on Saturday, June 3, at 5 p.m.
Rodrigo A. Mendez Correa, a member of St. Leo parish, Corona, was born in Colombia. He has been married to Martha for 29 years and they have one daughter.
He is a business administrator. He is active in his parish as a catechist, and in evangelization and marriage ministry.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Leo Church on Sunday, May 28, at 3 p.m.
Fabio Parra, a member of Corpus Christi parish, Woodside, was born in Colombia. He has been married to Alexandra for 12 years. They have two children.
He works in maintenance. He is active in his parish as a lector, and in the Pro-Sanctity group and Guardian de la Hora Santa.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Church on Sunday, May 28, at 11 a.m.
Carlos R. Pichardo, a member of Blessed Sacrament parish, Cypress Hills, was born in the Dominican Republic. He has been married to Edita 37 years. They have three children and a grandchild.
A private store owner, he is active in his parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lector.
A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church, Saturday, June 3, at 6 p.m.
Michael Saez, a member of Holy Name of Jesus parish, Windsor Terrace, was born in Brooklyn. He has been married to Isaura for 28 years.
An accountant, he is active in the Cursillo, is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, lector and a mentor of the Hispanic Society.
A Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name on Sunday, May 28, at 9 a.m.