06/02/2024
We already can't wait until FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!
Diaconate Ordination is Happening Friday!
By Colleen Rowan, The Catholic Spirit
WEST VIRGINIA—On Friday, in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston 20 men will be ordained permanent deacons. The ordination will be held on June 7 at 3 p.m. at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston.
This will be the first permanent deacons ordained for the diocese since 2016.
Deacons are ordained to ministry and service where they assist the bishop and his priests in the celebration of the divine ministries, distribute holy Communion, assist, and bless marriages, proclaim the Gospel and preach the good news, preside at funerals and, most especially, dedicate themselves to the ministry of charity.
There are two types of deacons in the Catholic Church: the transitional deacon, who will go on to ordination to priesthood; and the permanent deacon, who is ordained for perpetual ministry in the diaconate.
The 20 candidates to be ordained as permanent deacons in West Virginia next month come from all corners of the state. Three of candidates are from the Martinsburg Vicariate: Bryce Timberlake is a member of St. James the Greater Parish in Charles Town; Patrick Michel is a member of St. Joseph Parish in Martinsburg; and David Torlone is a member of St. Leo Parish in Inwood.
Blessed Sacrament Parish in South Charleston has two candidates: Tony O’Leary and Tommy Ross. Additional candidates from the south are Rick Allen of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley, EJ Brucal of Sacred Heart Parish in Williamson, Michael Kawash of the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, and Ronald Piaskowski of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Huntington.
Candidates from central West Virginia are Michael Brumley of St. Patrick Parish in Weston, John Butler of St. Matthew Parish in Ravenswood, Victor Cwynar of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Parkersburg, James McCullough of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Stonewood, and Aaron Talbott of St. Brendan Parish in Elkins.
Candidates from the Northern Panhandle are Dr. John Basil of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Weirton, William Klug of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in New Martinsville, Robert Krall of St. Michael Parish in Wheeling, Jacob Manning of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling, Thomas McFadden of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Wheeling, and Jason Miller of St. Paul Parish in Weirton.
“I wouldn’t trade the last four years of formation for the world,” said candidate Michael Kawash. “If I was told that I wouldn’t be ordained at this point, I wouldn’t have a single regret over spending the last four years in formation—everything I’ve learned, the friends I’ve made, the growth in spirituality, all of it has made for a most valuable life experience.”
“I am looking forward to serving God’s people as a deacon,” he continued. “I have learned as part of our formation that the diaconate is actually the model of the Church, which is to serve. So, I am very much looking forward to ministering to the faithful in this way and modeling the service of Christ to all whom I encounter.”
Deacon John Yaquinta, coordinator of the diocese’s Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, said that when he was ordained in 2016, he never imagined that God would one day call him to be a companion to the 20 men on their journey to ordination.
“Each one of these men has been called to lay down his life in humble service, and that is exactly what they will do as they lay prostrate on the floor of the Co-Cathedral on June 7,” said Deacon Yaquinta, who is also permanent deacon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Stonewood. “They have let go of hobbies, interests, and even relationships in order to have more time for study, prayer, and formation. They have stepped out of their comfort zones and embraced new forms of service in their parishes. I am very grateful to Bishop Mark Brennan and Father Dennis Schuelkens for entrusting me with their formation. And I look forward to many years of service with each one of them in the College of Permanent Deacons in this Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.”
Their formation was through St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana.
Once ordained, the diocese’s new deacons will receive their assignments.
