By Dr Rubén Barrón
On August 23, Juan Carlos Arreola, Hector Avila, Max E. Barillas, Martin Correa, Ramon Duran, German Gonzalez, Chukwunedum David Okonkwo, Victor Ortega and Gerardo Vargas were ordained permanent deacons during a Mass presided by Bishop Alberto Rojas at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Cucamonga.
The joyful celebration was filled with clergy and laity. As has been the case during years of formation, the wives accompanied their husbands reaching the providential milestone. Some family and friends traveled long distances for the momentous occasion, a few spoke about their own connection to the diaconate and all expressed joy and hope for the new deacons.
Daniel Miramontes flew in from Zacatecas, Mexico. “My dad and I came to my uncle Martin Correa’s ordination, which for us is an achievement of an important spiritual goal,” he shared. The father and son planned to visit for a week and learn more about what being a deacon entails.
Two young sisters, Monica and Marisol Ortega, drove with their mother from Stockton to attend the Ordination. Monica saw value in becoming a deacon beyond attaining a personal feat. “We have young nieces and nephews who are curious and can be motivated by what older relatives model for them,” she said.
Óscar Agustín Domínguez, who is in his fourth year of formation to become a deacon, finds inspiration in how the new deacons face difficult situations. “Gerardo Diaz is an example of staying the course in service to God no matter the obstacles that arise now or may come later,” he said. Oscar’s wife, María Guadalupe Dominguez, places her entire trust on God’s will. “God called them just like us, who are going through the process. It’s a great example that we can achieve it if God wants us to reach this moment,” she added.
Both Cynthia Moreno and Gabriela Nava attended the Ordination in gratitude to God for Deacon Correa, who shares their parish.
Katy Gutierrez understood the Ordination of Deacon Ortega as a blessing for the entire community. “It is an enormous blessing for our community to have a deacon who speaks Spanish, who knows the needs of the community, and has love for all,” she said.
Deacon Armando Berumen was ordained two years ago and had some practical advice for the new deacons. “Simply put, I encourage them to trust God and have no fear,” he said.
Knight of Columbus Raul Acosta participated with other Knights during the Ordination. He feels all are called to serve God and neighbor in their own way. “We can all serve the Church by doing God’s work. Like when Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Feed my sheep.’ As Knights we advance the missionary Church,” he said.
Jose Raul Garcia wishes he had answered the call to the diaconate as his friend, Deacon Duran is doing. “Twenty years ago, I was invited to apply to the program and was influenced not to accept. I let it go and now I regret it,” he said. His advice is to listen to God’s voice and respond to it.
Bishop Rojas reminded all, and deacons in particular, of the true meaning of their calling. “Never take your deacon ordination as if this was a higher social status you are getting because you deserve it, pretending to know more and better than anybody else. On the contrary, remember the meaning of the word deacon: servant. Serve with humility and simplicity of heart after the example of Jesus and other first deacons.”
Permanent deacons are ordained ministers who serve the Church in the role of Word, liturgy and charity. Among other duties, they baptize infants, witness marriages, and preside at funerals outside of Mass.
At the end of Mass, two of the new deacons thanked countless people for their support during their time of formation. Each ended their expression of gratitude with a message directed at the new deacons’ wives.
“We thank our wives without whom none of this could happen; for your sacrifices, your time, yourself, your selflessness, your continual giving of yourself. Because of you we have grown in wisdom and matured just a bit,” shared Deacon Chukwunedum David Okonkwo.
Deacon Victor Ortega expressed gratitude, “To our beloved wives for walking as an image of Mary at our side, in the mission of our lives, to bring this mission to our lives and be on pilgrimage towards eternal life. Thank you for your prayers and perseverance, thank you for your words of support and corrections, thank you for allowing us to dialogue and share married life as husbands and wives.”
Dr Rubén Barrón is a Catholic spiritual director and freelance writer based in Yorba Linda.