Bishop calls 14 men to permanent diaconate

WOODBURY – Bishop Joseph Williams has called 14 men to Holy Orders to the permanent diaconate.

“The relationship between the deacon and his Bishop is of utmost importance,” Bishop Williams told the men, who with their wives, gathered the evening of Sept. 9 at the Bishop’s residence for the Call to Orders. “You’re the eyes and the ears of the bishop.”

Quoting from the Gospel of Luke, Bishop Williams said, “‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.’ This is a bright spot when we speak about the laborers [because] in South Jersey, 14 men are being called tonight to be diaconal laborers. For those who are currently serving in the Church, it takes formation. No one knows that better than the men and women I have in front of me today.”

“The bishop always has a special place in his heart for the deacon, so it’s a privilege for me that I can celebrate this evening,” Bishop Williams continued. “In this harvest mission field, we might say of the Camden Diocese, thanks be to God, this is good news.”

The men called to Holy Orders that evening were Edward Danzi, Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights; Michael Drees and Douglas Stetser, Church of the Incarnation, Mantua; Paschal Nwako, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood; Paul Goebel III, The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill; Eddy Gonzalez Sr., Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral Parish, Camden; Carlos A. Gonzalez Perez, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, Northfield; Walkens Moise, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Galloway; Luis Mounier, Divine Mercy Parish, Vineland; Kirk Popiolek, Saint Joachim Parish, Bellmawr; Louis Presenza Jr., Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville; Edwin Santos Jr., Holy Eucharist Parish, Cherry Hill; Barry Steele, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Collingswood; and Charles Lacey Jr., Saint Peter Parish, Merchantville.

Father Nicholas Dudo, diocesan Vicar for Clergy, explained that the Call to Orders is “a formal declaration that [the Bishop] has to make canonically to let them know that from this time he is intending to ordain them. Once that happens, then they are definitely in line for major orders.”

As such, the Ordination to the Diaconate Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 4 at Saint Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood.

Deacon Charles Schiapelli, assistant director of Diaconate Formation for the Diocese of Camden, said the men are ready for ministry. “They’ve prepared themselves spiritually and intellectually. They put in a lot of hours of work, and this is a step in their formation process that I think they’ve really worked hard to attain.”

Moise said the Call to Orders brought joy to his heart. “A moment where this was burning in my heart is about to come to a reality,” he said about becoming a permanent deacon. “All I have to do is follow God because he knows the way. I just have to follow and say ‘yes’ to him.”

Presenza reflected on God’s timeline versus his own. “You want it right away. You want things to come, but everything is in God’s time. So this journey to me has been more of a humbling experience to know that. You walk with the Lord as He wants you to walk along this journey.”

Along with prayers with the Bishop, the men also recited oaths and signed four documents: Profession of Faith, Oath of Fidelity, Declaration of Freedom and Oath to Service.

“I feel these thoughts are giving me a bond,” Moises said. “It’s telling me how the Diocese is with me on my decisions to serve the people of God. … I will never be alone by this oath. I feel that there is a connection, a connection forever.”

Presenza said that he has seen changes in himself throughout his formation journey.

“More patience – not quick to respond to things,” he said. “But I also know that it’s not me who makes a change. I’m only the guide and that [God] makes a change.”

Presenza’s wife, Donna, agreed. “He is much more God-centered now. He’s always had that kind heart and charitable nature, but his outlook has really grown now that he’s grown closer to the Lord.”

Michael Drees’ wife, Jennifer, said she has also seen a change in her husband during the five years of diaconate formation.

“Absolutely beautiful, beautiful changes,” she said. “More prayerful, more thoughtful, reading more Scripture and really being a stronger friend, not only to me but to those around him.”