By Deacon Mark Machuga

In 1964, the Second Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium restored the order of deacon as a permanent rank of the hierarchy of the Church.

For, strengthened by sacramental grace [deacons] are dedicated to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop and his body of priests, in the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel and of works of charity.” (Lumen Gentium, 29)

In September, 13 men will begin their journey towards the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. These men have already completed years of pre-requisite work in pastoral ministry or theology in order to become eligible for permanent deacon formation. They also went through an extensive application process, which includes a lengthy application for the applicant and his wife, an in-home interview, a thorough psychological test and background check and recommendations from his pastor and parishioners, as well as other references.

For the next three academic years, these men will gather at The Athenaeum every other weekend to train in many different facets of the Church. This includes study of scripture, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, preaching and spirituality. The men will study, pray and socialize together as a class over the 42 weekends that comprise their formation period.

Six of the aspirants are from the Cincinnati area; five are from the Dayton area; and two are from the northern part of the archdiocese.

“It is always a blessing to see how God moves in the lives of these men with their wives. It is a sacred privilege to be able to walk with them for the next three years. Through the studies, formation and spiritual components of the program, these men will respond to God’s invitation to serve Him and His people in each of their parishes,” said Father David Sunberg, director of permanent deacon formation at The Athenaeum/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MEN IN FORMATION

Edward Bayliss
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anderson Township

Mark Danis
St. Brigid, Xenia; St. Paul, Yellow Springs; St. Augustine, Jamestown

Jesse Fanning
St. Charles Borromeo, Kettering

Bradley Feltz
Holy Redeemer, New Bremen

Joseph Grote
St. Michael, Sharonville

Stephen Lindner
Good Shepherd, Cincinnati

Jeffrey Little
St. Joseph, Wapakoneta

Mark Madden
Our Lady of Lourdes, Cincinnati

Kelly Mocahbee
St. Thomas More, Withamsville

Douglas Moore
St. Ann, Groesbeck

Osagie Victor O’Basuyi
St. Benedict the Moor, Dayton

Brian Seibert
St. Paul, Englewood

Carlos Soto
St. Mary, Dayton

My life has been blessed with the strength of my faith and the support of my family. Now, I am so honored to be called to serve the Lord and the Pastoral Region I grew up in and worship with my community. – Brian Seibert, Aspirant