SAGINAW- On Sunday, Sept. 10, Bishop Robert Gruss instituted seven permanent deacon candidates into the ministry of lector during Mass at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption. The ministry of lector is a preliminary step towards Holy Orders. The permanent deacon candidates are:

Matt 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

Bob Sasiela, St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw

Lenn Stankiewicz, St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove

Bob Zondlak, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Midland

The Diocese of Saginaw currently has 23 permanent deacons, some of whom are married and some who are single. Men who sense that God may be calling them to serve as a permanent deacon should e-mail diaconate@diosag.org or call the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at 989.797.6662. Learn more about the permanent deacon formation program here.