Eight men were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon on Oct. 22 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland (video available at the end of the story). Seven were ordained for service in the Diocese of Cleveland and one for service in the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea.
The newly ordained deacons and their home parishes are:
- Deacon Peter Soohyun Bang, for the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea;
- Deacon Jacob Brian Bearer, St. Mary Parish, Painesville;
- Deacon James Michael Cosgrove, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Parma;
- Deacon Eric Steven Garris, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Wickliffe;
- Deacon Matthew William Jordan, St. Francis DeSales Parish, Akron;
- Deacon Robert Dale McWilliams, Immaculate Conception Parish, Akron;
- Deacon Peter Alexander Morris, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Elyria;
- Deacon Anthony Joseph Simone, St. Mary Parish, Hudson.
Bishop Richard Lennon was celebrant at the ordination liturgy, along with more than a dozen concelebrants, including Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Roger Gries and pastors of the new deacons? home parishes. Also participating in the Mass were other priests and deacons from around the diocese.
The bishop expressed gratitude to those at Borromeo and St. Mary seminaries who have supported the new deacons and continue to work with them as they progress in their formation for the priesthood. They are on track to be ordained as priests next May.
The rite of ordination consisted of