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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
1933 Spielbusch Avenue
Toledo,Ohio 43604
Sally Oberski, Director of Communications
soberski@toledodiocese.org, 419.244.6711 x 148
Kelly O’Loughlin, Communications Coordinator
koloughlin@toledodiocese.org, 419.244.6711 x 149
DIOCESE OF TOLEDO WELCOMES NINE PERMANENT DEACONS
September 19, 2011 – Toledo, OH – This past weekend the Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo, ordained nine men as permanent deacons in a Mass at Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral.
According to Monsignor William J. Kubacki, Director of Deacon Formation for the diocese, “This is the largest class for Ordination to the Diaconate in the Diocese of Toledo since 2007. We welcome them into our parishes and appreciate the time and dedication they give to their ministries.”
Over 40 years ago, the Catholic Church restored this sacred order as a permanent way of serving the Church and not just a transitional order for men who are on the way to priesthood. A deacon is ordained to the first rank of sacred orders, no longer a layman, but considered a member of the clergy who should be addressed as, “Deacon.” Deacons teach and help lead the community in its religious life by assisting at the altar, distributing the Eucharist, blessing marriages, officiating over funerals, and performing baptisms. Deacons cannot preside over a Mass, hear confessions, forgive sins, confirm or anoint people. Customarily deacons are not obliged to wear clerical dress, including the clerical collar, outside of sacramental, pastoral, or liturgical service.
After their ordination to the diaconte this past Saturday, the following men have been appointed to their home parishes as permanent deacons:
- Robert P. Fedynich to Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Toledo
- Gerald E. Galernik to All Saints Parish, Rossford
- Armando Gonzalez to Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Findlay
- Jon A. Gottron to Saint Augustine Parish, Napoleon
- Donald W. Inkrott to Saint John the Baptist Parish, Glandorf
- Edward R. Maher to Saint Thomas More Parish, Bowling Green
- John R. Reef to Saint Peter Parish, Mansfield
- Melvin J. Shell to Saint Joseph Parish, Fremont
- John F. Walter to Saints Patrick and Andrew Parish, Bascom
The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910 encompasses 8222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties across Northwest, serving 322,523 Catholics in 126 parishes. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.
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