Vocations
Diaconate
News and Announcements
Acolytes and Lectors Instituted
On September 8, 2012, at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Mt. Olive, fourteen men in the Deacon Formation Program were instituted to the Ministry of Lector and five men to the Ministry of Acolyte at a bilingual Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh. The Very Rev. James F. Garneau, V.F., Director of the Permanent Diaconate program for the Diocese, was the principal concelebrant. Please keep the following men in prayer: Fourth-year deacon candidates, instituted to the Ministry of Acolyte: José Juan Banda, Juan Carlos Campos, Gustavo Castro-Reynoso, José Mendoza and Luís Alfonso Royo-Camacho. Third-year men instituted to the Ministry of Lector: Bob Bridwell, Jerry Chavez, Lou Clark, Jeff Jolly, David Kierski, Jim Marapoti, Vince Parente, Brian Phillips, Art Schneider, Jim Strange, Jr., Bob Troy, Jr., Mike Vandiver, John Wetsch, and Chuck Zlamal. Read more, view photos and watch video of Bishop Burbidge's homily.

Above: Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Father James F. Garneau, V.F., and Director of Permanent Diaconate with 14 men instituted to the Ministry of Lector at Mass celebrated September 8. Deacon Felix Saez, Jr., Assistant Director of the Diaconate program is second row center right. Click photo to view larger.

Above: Five men instituted to the Ministry of Acolyte with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Father James F. Garneau, V.F. Click photo to view larger.
Deacon Community Board
We would like to thank Deacon George C. Stonikinis, Jr. and Mrs. Linda Hoffert for their past service on the Deacon Community Board. A warm welcome to the new members appointed by Bishop Michael Burbidge: Deacon Rick Fisher (reappointed), Deacon Wally Calabrese, and Mrs. Anna Rzewnicki. Other board members include: Deacon Pius Gabriel, Deacon Frank Jones, Deacon Emilio Mejía, Deacon William Cortright, Mrs. Mary Ellen Cortright, and Deacon Jorge Rodríguez.
Office Staff
Deacon Felix Saez, Jr. is the assistant director for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, and Mrs. Amy Breindel is the secretary for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. You can contact either of them at (919) 658-4023.
As of July 8, 2008, Fr. James F. Garneau was appointed Director of the Office of the Permanant Diaconate. The offices have been relocated to Mount Olive, NC.
Deacons, by William T. Ditewig - A helpful resource for those who have questions about the diaconate

Contact
Director, Office of the Permanent Diaconate
Very Reverend James F. Garneau, V.F., Ph.D.
St. Mary Catholic Church
P.O. Box 1145
Mount Olive, NC 28365
(919) 658-4023
garneauj@raldioc.org
Assistant Director, Office of the Permanent Diaconate
Saint Mary Parish
Deacon Felix Sáez, Jr.
(919) 658-4023
felix.saez@raldioc.org
Office Secretary
Mrs. Amy J. Breindel
(919) 658-4023
amy.breindel@raldioc.org