Five years of discernment, study and formation will culminate on Aug. 29 when three men are ordained as permanent deacons for service to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland during a Mass in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, will celebrate the ordination Mass. Because of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, admission to the liturgy is by invitation only.
Those who will be ordained are Donald Brandt from St. John Neumann Parish in Strongsville; Francisco Miranda from St. Michael Parish in Cleveland; and John Nelson from St. Mary Parish in Mentor.
The men completed one year of aspirancy and four additional years of study and formation at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe.
As permanent deacons, they will be assigned to parishes in the diocese to assist the bishop and priests. Their duties will include assisting at the Eucharist, distributing holy Communion, witnessing and blessing marriages, proclaiming the Gospel and preaching, presiding at funerals and engaging in ministries of charity.
This year is the 52nd anniversary of the 1968 approval by Blessed Pope Paul VI for the bishops of the United States to renew the permanent diaconate as an active, permanent order of ministry.
The newly ordained deacons will join more than 200 other permanent deacons in the diocese. Their ministry is one of service.
Any men interested in more information on the permanent diaconate can contact Deacon David Kushner at the formation office, 440-943-7651.