Ordination of 13 deacons for Diocese of Trenton set

TRENTON -- Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will ordain 13 new deacons for service in the Diocese of Trenton during a Mass on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral.

The Mass is open to family, friends and well-wishers, and will be livestreamed on Youtube.com/trentondiocese.
 
Twelve of the men will be ordained permanent deacons and will serve in their designated parishes as preachers and ministers, able to preside at weddings, Baptisms, wakes and burial committals.  They are all married with children, some with grandchildren. Most will continue to serve in their existing occupations, which include service in the fields of healthcare, law and business.

One of the 13 will be ordained a transitional deacon, and will serve in that ministry for a year in preparation for Ordination to the priesthood, expected to take place next spring.

The men represent all four counties of the Diocese of Trenton – Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean.

The candidates and the parishes in which they will serve are:

TRANSITIONAL DEACON

• Alan J. Bridges … diaconal year, Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton (in formation for the priesthood)

PERMANENT DEACONS

• Nelson R. Abreu … Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton
• Stuart Altschuler … Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown
• Mark F. Degenhart, Sr. … St. James Parish, Red Bank
• Vincent P. Delle Grotti, Sr. … St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square
• Richard Gerbino … St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck
• Richard J. Huegi … St. Mary Parish, Barnegat
• John C. Italia … St. Paul Parish, Princeton
• Thomas McDonald … St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford
• Joseph L. Sbarra … St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown
• Michael S. Shuflat … St. Piux X Parish, Forked River
• Joseph Stillo … St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt
• James J. Turro … Sacred Heart Parish, Bay Head,and St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette

•  Entrance Processional (beginning of Mass) and Recessional (end of Mass)
•  Litany of Supplication (candidates lay prostrate on the floor as a sign of their complete dependence on God)
• Laying on of Hands (Bishop places his hands on the head of each candidate ordaining them deacons)
• Vesting of New Deacons (each new deacon is vested in the garments of his office by a priest of his choosing)
• First Blessings (following Mass, loved ones and well wishers approach the new deacons for a blessing)