Bishop Gruss Admits Seven Men as Permanent Deacon Candidates
On Nov. 6, Bishop Robert Gruss celebrated the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for seven men during Mass at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.
“In this rite, the one who aspires to ordination publicly manifests his will to offer himself to God and the Church to exercise a sacred order. In this way, he is admitted into the ranks of candidates for the diaconate” (National Directory, 210).
Candidates will now continue on a three-year journey of preparation to serve in the Diocese of Saginaw as permanent deacons: ordained ministers who carry out works of charity, evangelize, and serve in various liturgical roles such as proclaiming the Gospel, preaching homilies, celebrating baptisms and presiding at weddings and funerals outside of Mass.
The candidates are:
Matthew Begres | Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Pleasant
John Copes | St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove
Hugh LeFevre | St. Dominic Parish, Saginaw
Jason Rasmussen | Holy Spirit Parish, Shields
Robert Sasiela | St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw
Leonard Stankiewicz | St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove
Robert Zondlak | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Midland
If you or any man you know expresses a desire or hears the call to serve as a permanent deacon, please e-mail Dr. Dan Osborn at dosborn@diosag.org or call him at 989.797.-6662. Applications for the permanent deacon program are only accepted once every four years, and a key cutoff date is May 1, 2023. Both married and single men may apply.
