Four men who have completed five years of study, formation and discernment will be ordained as permanent deacons during a livestreamed Mass at 10 a.m. May 2 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Bishop Edward Malesic will be the ordaining bishop.
Those called to ordination are:
- Zakary Ian Jester, director of youth ministry and confirmation at St. Raphael Parish, Bay Village, is married to Sarah. They are members of St. Raphael Parish and have two sons.
- Jerald Matthew Joyce, director of business development at Amsive, is married to Melissa (Mel). They are members of St. Anselm Parish in Chesterland and have two sons and a daughter.
- William Michael Prebel, senior investment advisor with PNC Bank, is married to Mildred (Millie). They are members of SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish in Twinsburg and have a blended family of six adult children: four daughters and two sons.
- Jon-Gerard Woost, chief operating officer of Automation Plastics, is married to Carrie. They are members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Wadsworth and have four adult children: three sons and a daughter.
As deacons, they can administer baptism, serve at the altar during Mass, distribute the Eucharist, bring viaticum to the dying, read sacred Scriptures to the faithful, preach on occasion, preside at public prayer, administer sacramentals, assist at and bless marriages and officiate at funeral and burial rites.
Those attending the ordination liturgy are reminded that the garage adjacent to the cathedral is under repair. There is a surface lot available on Rockwell Avenue behind the cathedral as well as limited street parking on Rockwell. There is a charge for street parking, which can be paid with a cell phone app or at a kiosk on Rockwell. Other nearby surface lots/parking garages may be available at their posted rates.
For more information on the permanent diaconate program, contact the director, Deacon George Malec, at gmalec@dioceseofcleveland.org.