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rchbishop Michael J. Sheehan ordained one seminarian to the transitional diaconate and eleven men to the permanent diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church in June. The Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate took place in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe. Rev. Mr. Joseph Van Tao Nguyen was ordained to the transitional diaconate. His new title is “Rev. Mr.” because he is transitioning between being a seminarian and a priest. Seminarians are first ordained to the transitional diaconate where they will serve as deacons for a short time before being ordained to the priesthood. Men who are ordained as permanent deacons are often married, but need not be. However, once a married deacon’s wife passes away, he may not remarry. Furthermore, a single man who is ordained a deacon may not marry after becoming a deacon. These men will be given the authority to baptize, witness marriages and preach the Gospel. They will make the promise of obedience to Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan and to his successors. They will be welcomed by their brother permanent deacons during the Rite. Upon ordination to the permanent diaconate, they will be under Archbishop Sheehan’s authority, or his successor’s authority. The men ordained to the permanent diaconate have been assigned to their current parish: • Deacon Kevin Barkocy, Prince of Peace, Albuquerque • Deacon Louis Bernal, Church of the Incarnation, Rio Rancho • Deacon Theodore Branch, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe • Deacon Mark Buie, Church of the Incarnation, Rio Rancho • Deacon Manuel Gallegos, St. Patrick, Chama • Deacon Stephen Garcia, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Clovis • Deacon Christopher Gilbert, Sacred Heart, Española • Deacon Salvador Mercado, St. Jude Thaddeus, Albuquerque • Deacon Maurice Rodriguez, Holy Child, Tijeras • Deacon Larry Torres, Holy Trinity, Arroyo Seco • Deacon Joseph Valdez, St. Patrick, Chama
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August 2014
Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan Ordains One Seminarian to the Transitional Diaconate and Eleven Men to the Permanent Diaconate
Pictured here with the Diaconate Class of 2014 are Deacon Steve Rangel, Director of Permanent Diaconate, Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan, Deacon Jim Snell, Director of the Formation Program, Rev. Timothy Martinez, pastor, Risen Savior Catholic Community, and Deacon Juan R. Martinez, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Rev. Mr. Joseph Van Tao Nguyen celebrates his ordination to the transitional diaconate with Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan.