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from November 19, 2006

Longtime Priest Dies at Age 79
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Saint Andrew Remains Faithful to Its Mission 
Center of Family Love Celebrates 25 years
Program Focuses on Welcoming All Into Arms of Church 

‘We Choose These, Our Brothers’
Record Number Ordained as Permanent Deacons
The 24 candidates for the Permanent Diaconate prostrate themselves during the Eucharistic Celebration of the Ordination celebrated Nov. 3 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Sooner Catholic Photo/Cara Koenig.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY —  An overflow crowd packed the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Nov. 3 to witness the ordination of a small army of men to the Permanent Diaconate.

Archbishop Beltran presided at the Eucharistic Celebration of the Ordination of the 24 men as Permanent Deacons. The Cathedral was filled with family of the ordination class, as well as dozens of priests from throughout the Archdiocese. Deacon Max Schwarz, Director of the Diaconate Program, presented the largest diaconate class in the history of the Archdiocese and asked Archbishop Beltran to ordain the men.

“Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers, for the Order of the Diaconte,” Archbishop Beltran said. Applause then broke out throughout the Cathedral.

Ordained as Permanent Deacons are: David Bunch, Jim Coe, Edward H. Duclos, Duane Fischer, Roy L. Forsythe, Santos F. Hernandez, Bernie Hollier, Phillip Raymond Kenny, Bill King, Wm. Steven Lewis, Alfonso A. Lopez, Lloyd Menz, Eulis R. Mobley, Richard M. Montdoro, Santiago Ontiveros, Jose Ortiz, Rick Stevenson Painter, Gary C. Peterson, Thomas Phan Ngoc Trung, Jerry L. Rakosky, Jesus Alejandro Randolph, James Smith, Rodney L. Walker and Rusty Wooden.

The Diaconate class and their wives gathered at the Catholic Pastoral Center the evening before the ordination for a prayer service. Following the Friday night ordination a reception was held in the Connor Center, on the Cathedral campus. The class expressed its appreciation to all who guided and supported them in a written statement which read: The Deacon Formation Class of 2006 wishes to acknowledge and give thanks for the leadership of Archbishop Beltran, the selfless dedication of the Priests, Permanent Deacons, Religious, lay ministers and educators from the Archdiocese and Saint Gregory’s Abbey who have generously given of themselves to prepare these 24 men for ordination. They are grateful for the spiritual gifts they will receive to use in service to our Lord and His Church as members of the Order of Permanent Deacons. They also acknowledge and thank the many faithful from throughout the Archdiocese who have continuously supported, encouraged and prayed for them and their families during their formation journey to ordination.