News

Bishop to commission 14, ordain two deacons

By Renae Bauer
Communications Department

	Related articles this week: • Commissioned grow in faith and their calling     Program helps train lay leaders to serve     in parishes in the diocese • Two men to be ordained deacons May 19     Ordination at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral • Fourteen to become commissioned ministers     May 18 Mass caps individuals' participation     in nationally accredited formation program

Bp. David Zubik will commission 14 laypersons Friday, May 18, at a Mass at 7 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay. (See story here.)

The next day in the cathedral, Bp. Zubik will ordain James Heider of Holy Cross Parish, Bay Settlement, and Robert Precourt of St. Paul Parish, Plainfield, to the permanent diaconate (Order of Deacons) at a 10 a.m. Mass. (See story here.)

Those being commissioned are Sr. Lisa Alexander of St. Matthew Parish, Green Bay; Lynn Beaumier of St. Anthony Parish, Oconto Falls; Tina DeJardin of St. Francis-St. Mary Parish, Brussels; William Guilbeault and Christine Schmutzer, both of St. Bernard Parish, Appleton; Jeanne Hansel of Holy Trinity Parish, Oconto; James Jauquet of Stella Maris Parish, Egg Harbor; Carol Kekula of St. Agnes Parish, Green Bay; Paul Kerney of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton; Joyce Martin of St. Patrick Parish, Menasha; Marie Millsaps of St. John the Baptist Parish, Howard; Anne Shelley of St. Gabriel Parish, Neenah; Deborah Spielbauer of St. John/St. Mary Parish, Menasha; and Mary Toppins of St. Joseph Parish, Appleton.

Adults in the Commissioned Ministry program go through an extensive, nationally accredited program to help them grow spiritually and academically in parish service. This year's ceremony will bring to 205 (147 women and 58 men) the number of people who have been commissioned since the program began in 1986. Another 124 people are in the formation process.

The program is funded through tuition, scholarships and the Bishop's Appeal, the diocese's annual fund-raising program.

Much like a priest, a deacon receives the sacrament of Holy Orders when he is ordained. Deacons are ordained to serve, whether in charitable ministry or in the secular workplace. A deacon often assists at worship, exercises the ministry of preaching, and provides other sacramental services to the community.

Spiritual and academic development of future deacons is funded through tuition and the Bishop's Appeal.

On June 30, Bp. Zubik will ordain Andrew Kysely, pastoral internship at St. Josaphat Parish, Oshkosh; Benjamin Sember, pastoral internship at Sacred Heart Parish in Oshkosh and Holy Family Parish in Brillion; and Joel Sember, pastoral internship at Most Precious Blood Parish, New London, to the Holy Order of Priesthood. The Mass of Ordination will be at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral.

Training of future priests is possible, in part, because of the Bishop's Appeal and the annual Seminarian Collection.

More information on commissioned ministry, the diaconate and priesthood is available at www.gbdioc.org by clicking on the Vocations/Leadership link.