Six men accepted for candidacy in permanent diaconate formation

Bishop Edward Malesic had some advice for the men in formation for the permanent diaconate, telling them, “Use the years ahead to be formed into men with servants’ hearts.”

Six men were admitted to candidacy during a Mass on Aug. 8 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. Deacon George Malec, director of the permanent diaconate program, said they have completed two years as aspirants and are entering a three-year formation program as they continue discerning their call to ordination as permanent deacons.

The new candidates are:

• Jose Alberto Alcantara Vazquez of Olmsted Township. He and his wife Anselmari have four children and are members of La Sagrada Familia Parish in Cleveland.
• Kevin Peter Juguilon of North Olmsted. He and his wife Sharon Marie are members of St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village.
• Robert Matthew Maximillan Musial of Medina. He and his wife Heather Angelle are members of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina.
• Patrick Alan Rall of Ashland. He and his wife Kathryn Rose have four children and are members of St. Edward Parish in Ashland.
• Hector Luis Ramos of Cleveland. He and his wife Maribel have two children and are members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cleveland.
• Eric Robert Uturo of Medina. He and his wife Diana Marie have four children and are members of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina.

(See photo gallery above.)

“Life is a process of growth and letting go,” the bishop told them. “You are getting closer to God’s presence. Every saint has a past and ever sinner has a future. With God, nothing is impossible.” He encouraged the men to answer the call to their vocation by telling the Lord, “Here I am. Send me.”

They are in a unique position as they are being formed under a new pontificate, that of Pope Leo XIV, the bishop said. As permanent deacons, he told them that they will be bound by holy orders for life as servants of God and humanity.

Deacon Malec said the mission of the diaconate formation office is to provide human, spiritual, pastoral and academic formation for aspirants and candidates for possible ordination as deacons, and the appropriate formation and support for their wives – if the men are married – and families. There is a five-year preparation/formation period leading to ordination.

For more information about the permanent diaconate, click here, call Deacon Malec at 440-943-7652, or email him at gmalec@dioceseofcleveland.org.