On Saturday, June 8, in the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, Bishop Robert J. McClory ordained 16 men to serve the Diocese of Gary as permanent and transitional deacons.
      The diaconate was established in the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter six. Deacons primarily serve the poor and needy, participating in ministries like visiting the sick and imprisoned. Additionally, Catholic deacons perform liturgical services, including proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, preaching, performing baptisms and preparing the altar for the celebration of the Eucharist.
      Two men, seminarians Ivan Alatorre, 25, and Alexander Kouris, 27, were ordained as transitional deacons in anticipation of their ordination to the Catholic priesthood in summer 2025. Before returning to Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit at the beginning of the new academic year, Deacon Alatorre will be assigned to St. Paul Parish in Valparaiso and Deacon Kouris will be assigned to St. James the Less in Highland for ministry this summer.
      The remaining 14 men were ordained to the permanent diaconate, a ministry that is open to married men, and which supports priestly ministry in Catholic parishes. For their formation to the diaconate, these men completed the Diocese of Gary’s Lay Ecclesial Ministry program with two years of theological and pastoral training in preparation for diaconal ministry.
      The men ordained to the permanent diaconate and their assignments :
  • Deacon Anthony Bondi, 46, will be assigned to Nativity of Our Savior Parish in Portage.
  • Deacon Albert Burgos, 61, will be assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Hammond.
  • Deacon Frank Gasaway, 58, will be assigned to Queen of All Saints and St. Mary Immaculate Conception Parishes in Michigan City.
  • Deacon S. William Grimes, 56, will be assigned to St. Mary Parish in Crown Point.
  • Deacon Robert Gromala, 44, will be assigned to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Saint John.
  • Deacon Bradly Hendrickson, 59, will be assigned to St. Matthias Parish in Crown Point.
  • Douglas Noveroske, 64, will be assigned to Notre Dame Parish in Michigan City.
  • Deacon Ruben Ortiz II, 52, will be assigned to Nativity of Our Savior Parish in Portage.
  • Deacon Robert Petro, 55, will be assigned to St. Patrick Parish in Chesterton and St. Ann of the Dunes Parish in Beverly Shores.
  • Deacon Gilbert Sanchez, 57, be assigned to St. Patrick Parish in Chesterton and St. Ann of the Dunes Parish in Beverly Shores.
  • Deacon Robert Wellinski, 59, will be assigned to Holy Family Parish in LaPorte.
  • Deacon Paul Wilk, 61, will be assigned to St. Maria Goretti Parish in Dyer.
  • Deacon Peter Wood, 51, will be assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Winfield, St. Mary Parish in Kouts, and St. Helen Parish in Hebron.
  • Deacon William Zientarski, 61, be assigned to Queen of All Saints and St. Mary Immaculate Conception Parishes in Michigan City.