Seven men who have completed a five-year formation process will be ordained June 9 to the Sacred Order of Deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Their Mass of ordination will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, with Cardinal Roger Mahony presiding. The seven candidates serve collectively in a wide variety of ministries at their respective parishes as do the wives of the five who are married, and who have accompanied their husbands through their formation.
On June 16, approximately 60 more men from parishes in the Santa Barbara Region will be ordained as permanent deacons, bringing to nearly 300 the number of active deacons currently serving in the archdiocese.
Following are brief profiles of the seven men and five women.
Alfred H. and Rita E. Austin
Parish: Holy Name of Mary, San Dimas.
Occupation: Design engineer and project engineer (Alfred); para-educator (Rita).
Parents of four adult children, the Austins are currently involved in bereavement, Eucharistic Ministry, RCIA, Cursillo and St. Vincent de Paul outreach. They hope to continue in those ministries, as well as liturgy.
Derek and Terri Brown
Parish: American Martyrs, Manhattan Beach.
Occupation: High school teacher/Loyola (Derek); Kindergarten teacher (Terri).
Parents of three teenage children, the Browns currently serve in their parish's Matthew 25 (social justice outreach ministry) and as eucharistic ministers; Derek also serves in music and stewardship ministry. In addition to these, Derek plans to serve in ministry to the sick and the imprisoned.
Dennis D. Carlson
Parish: Holy Trinity, San Pedro.
Occupation: Parish plant facilities manager.
Currently serving in bereavement ministry, Dennis plans to create a ministry to homebound parishioners, and to serve in baptism and marriage preparation, and eucharistic minister formation.
Ciro Augusto Garza
Parish: St. Martha, Huntington Park.
Occupation: Retired.
Ciro plans to continue serving in his current capacity as a detention minister and RCIA team member.
Fred Peter and Joann Lara
Parish: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Montebello.
Occupation: Parish directors of religious education (both).
Parents of two adult children, the Laras currently serve as Eucharistic Ministers, Bible Study Coordinators and in baptism and marriage preparation. Fred plans to serve in ministry to the newly arrived to this country, while Joann plans to serve in prison ministry.
Rodolfo R. and Monique Leyva
Parish: Sacred Heart, Covina.
Occupation: Dentist (Rodolfo).
Parents of five children ages 3 to 20, the Leyvas are both lectors, eucharistic ministers and adult confirmation leaders. Both plan to be involved in baptism preparation, and Rodolfo plans to serve in community outreach and youth ministry.
Mark and Vickie Race
Parish: St. Bernadette, Los Angeles.
Occupation: Catholic cemetery counselor (Mark); St. Bernadette Church secretary (Vickie).
Parents of four adult children ages 15 to 28, the Races currently serve as Eucharistic Ministers and in baptism preparation; Mark is also a lector and RCIA team leader, and Vickie serves on the parish council. Both plan to serve in the Faith, Hope and Charity Catholic Cancer Ministry. |