Three men to be ordained to the permanent diaconate on May 3

After five years of discernment and formation, three men will be ordained as permanent deacons for service to the Diocese of Cleveland by Bishop Edward Malesic. The ordination will take place during a livestreamed Mass at 10 a.m. May 3 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The Mass can be viewed on demand after the ordination.

Those to be ordained are:

• Richard Anthony Prayson, St. Dominic Parish, Shaker Heights. He is a physician with the Cleveland Clinic and is married to Elizabeth. They have two adult children.
• Dale Carter Shafer, Holy Family Parish, Parma. He is an HVAC supervisor with the Cuyahoga County Library and is married to Laura. They have three adult children.
• Jeffrey Edward Stutzman, St. Thomas More Parish, Brooklyn. He is senior manager of digital communications strategy for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and is married to Joyce. They have two daughters.

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.

For more information on the permanent diaconate program, contact the director, Deacon George Malec, at gmalec@dioceseofcleveland.org.