Six men entered the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on May 4 as candidates for ordination to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Cleveland.
After a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic that included the ancient ordination rite, they left as ordained ministers – the newest members of the clergy – and ready to begin their ministry as deacons in their assigned parishes.
(See photo gallery above.)
The newly ordained, their home parishes, family information and assigned parishes are:
- Michael Hayes Jr., diocesan director of young adult ministry, who is married to Marion. They are members of St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River. Deacon Hayes is assigned to serve at St. Christopher.
- Edward Linsky, QA manager at Lincoln Electric, is married to Leslie. They have three children and two grandchildren and are members of Holy Angels Parish in Bainbridge. Deacon Linsky will serve at Holy Spirit Parish in Garfield Heights.
- Christopher Loxterman, environmental supervisor for the Lake County Health District, is married to Sherry. They are members of St. Mary Parish in Chardon. Deacon Loxterman will serve at St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor.
- Darrel Sherman, owner/vice president of Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-in Theatre in North Ridgeville, is married to Nicole. They have three children and are members of St. Peter Parish in North Ridgeville. Deacon Sherman will serve at St. Peter Parish and St. Julie Billiart Parish.
- Mark Tomecko, a high school social studies teacher for the Green Local Schools, is married to Denise. They have two children and are members of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina. Deacon Tomecko will serve at St. Francis Xavier Parish.
- John Zarbo, customer service lab specialist for Avery Dennison, is married to Melissa. They have one child and are members of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fairport Harbor. Deacon Zarbo will serve at St. Anthony of Padua Parish.
“It is wonderful to be here today,” Bishop Malesic told the large crowd that nearly filled the cathedral. He noted the smiling faces of people from throughout the eight-county diocese, family and friends of the new deacons as well as those watching the livestreamed liturgy.
Concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost; Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, where they men were formed; members of the diocesan hierarchy; pastors of the newly ordained and pastors of their assigned ministry parishes. Many other priests and deacons, members of the seminary faculty, seminarians, family and friends also attended.
“Once again, God has provided for his Church,” he said. “These men who are being ordained will be configured to Christ in a special way. This is a joyful day,” he said, noting the cathedral was built to remind us of God.
“This structure is a building of beauty. It should remind us to make our lives of faith even more beautiful. All of us are the living stones that build up the living Church,” he said.
“This is an extraordinary event today as the Church confirms the divine call of these six men. Their lives will be changed forever. It took them a long time to get here,” the bishop added.
As ordained deacons, he said the men would be asked to “extend the charity of the Church to those in spiritual and material need. They will be living sacraments of Christ. These men re living signs that bring God’s life to us. And God will fill them with every grace they need to fulfill their spiritual call. They will be living witnesses for us all.”
As part of the ordination rite, the men prostrate themselves, lying on the cathedral floor around the altar. The bishop said this is a sign that they are surrendering to God. “The saints are filling this room and we will be calling on all of them and the Holy Spirit as I lay my hands on each of them (the six men) in the ancient ritual and offer the prayer of ordination. This is God’s doing. He is at work here.”
The ordination included election of the candidates, promise of the elect, litany of supplication, laying on of hands, prayer of ordination, investiture with stole and dalmatic, hand on of the Book of Gospels and the kiss of peace. The deacons also pledge obedience to their bishop.
After completion of the ordination rite, the new deacons took their place either to serve on the altar or to sit with the other deacons. Some also served as extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.
“We give praise and thanksgiving for these men chosen to be our deacons,” Bishop Malesic said.
He also addressed their wives, thanking them for sharing their husbands with the Church. “We are eternally grateful,” he added.
On a lighter note, he reminded the newly ordained not to let their ordination go to their heads. “You still need to take out the trash when your wife asks you,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the congregation.
Ordination is not the end of formation for the new deacons, the bishop noted. “Our God is a God of surprises,” he said, encouraging them to trust in the Lord as they undertake their new ministry.
The bishop also offered this advice to the newly ordained: “Be humble. It is the portal of charity. Be gentle with every soul you meet. Show the face of Christ to all you meet. Smile often, as Jesus did, and remember the face of God is in every person. Sink yourself in prayer. Put all into God’s hands. He makes a difference everywhere.”
The deacons won’t have the comfort of working from home, he said. “Get out there and get to it,” he told the men, noting that the devil will try to make them doubt themselves about being an instrument of God. It also is important to balance their home/family life and their ministry, the bishop said, reminding them, “You live with your wife, not your pastor.”
Following five years of formation, he said they were found worthy of ordination as deacons “not because you are worthy and good, but because Jesus sees something in you – even if you don’t feel worthy. He is the paper and you are the pen. You are his instrument. Go and do great things for Jesus among those who need you and who need him (Jesus). You are among the few and there is much work to do.”
As deacons, the men collaborate with the bishop and priests in the exercise of ministry. They serve as ministers of the Word, liturgy and charity. Ordained deacons can administer baptism, serve at the altar at Mass and distribute the Eucharist; bring the Eucharist as viaticum to the dying; read the sacred Scriptures to the faithful and on occasion, preach; preside at the Church’s public prayer; administer sacramentals; assist at and bless marriages and officiate at funeral and burial rites.
After Mass, the newly ordained received a Book of the Gospels, their faculties and ministry assignments from Bishop Malesic. He also took time to greet their families and to pose for photos.
Each new deacon celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving within a few days of ordination.
Watch the livestreamed ordination liturgy on demand here.
Click here to request information about the permanent diaconate or call 440-943-7652.