First Class of Deacons in Diocese Since 2009
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May 28, 2015Bishop to ordain 13 men to permanent
diaconate on June 5First class of deacons in diocese since 2009
PARSIPPANY Bishop Serratelli will ordain 13 men to the permanent diaconate at 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 5 in St. Peter the Apostle Church here.
This class of permanent deacons is the first to be ordained in the diocese since 2009.
After a review of the program at the direction of the Bishop, the permanent diaconate program in the diocese was revised in 2010. The academic requirements of the program were incorporated into Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology’s Program for Diaconal Studies.
The 13 men to be ordained on June 5 are the first group to complete the new program. All men received Certificates in Diaconal Studies and nine men, who had bachelor degrees, earned a Master of Arts in Theology degree.
There are currently 130 permanent deacons serving 74 parishes in the Diocese. The first permanent deacons in the Diocese were ordained in 1974. Since then, approximately 330 men have been ordained to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese.
Following are brief biographies on the 13 permanent diaconate candidates:
William J. Aquino, 58, is a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Highland Lakes, where he and his wife have served as a host couple for Pre-Cana and has been chairperson for the Evangelization Committee. He and his wife, Eileen, have been married for 32 years and have four children; Robert, Christopher, Colleen and Emily. He is employed as an electrical engineer with GCF Inc.
Nicholas D. Ardito, 57, is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Mountain Parish, Long Valley, where he has conducted the R.C.I.A. Program for several years. He has been married to his wife, Linda, for 32 years and they have four children. He is a retired police officer and is now employed as the director of security for the Union Board of Education.
John Brandi, 60, is a parishioner of Assumption Parish in Morristown where he has served as a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and religious education instructor. He has a doctorate in psychology from Fordham University, the Bronx, N.Y. and is employed as a professor and lecturer at New Jersey University, as well as a consultant with Liberty Healthcare Corporation.
William J. DeVizio, 56, is a parishioner of St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in Chester where he has served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector and with the Cornerstone program. He and his wife, Joan, have three children: Andrew, Sarah and Will. He has a doctorate in dental medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Dental School and is employed as vice president of oral care research with the Colgate Palmolive Co.
Dennis M. Gil, 56, is a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Parish in the McAfee section of Vernon where he has been involved with the Emmaus Men’s group. He and his wife, Madeleine, have been married for 37 years. He has a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering technology from Farleigh Dickinson University and is employed as the director of facilities at St. Francis de Sales Parish.
James R. Jones, 48, is a parishioner of Our Lady of Mountain Parish, Long Valley, where he has conducted the Pre-Baptism program for several years as well as being heavily involved with the Knights of Columbus. He has been married to his wife, Cynthia, for 15 years and she has been very involved in the parish also. He is employed as an enterprise scheduling coordinator with Sanofi Pharmaceutical.
Vincent J. LoBello, 52, is a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy in Whippany where he has served on the Parish Council and several other ministries. He and his wife, Majella, have been married for 25 years and they have three children: Vincent, Daniel and Rebecca. He is employed by United Parcel Service Co.
James P. McGovern, 54, is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Sparta where he participates in several ministries. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 23 years and have a son, Timothy. He has a law degree from Rutgers and is an attorney with the firm of McGivney and Kluger in Sparta.
Kevin J. McKeever, 59, is a parishioner at St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Green Pond where he serves on the liturgy committee and several other ministries. He and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for 32 years and have a son, Conor. He has a doctorate in medical dentistry from the New Jersey School of Dentistry, and has his own practice in Rockaway.
Jose D. Padron, 54, is a parishioner of St. Therese Parish in Succasunna where he has conducted the R.C.I.A. program and several other ministries. He has been married to his wife, Rosemarie, for 25 years and they have three daughters: Mary, Danielle, and Lauren. He is employed as a transportation supervisor with N.J. Transit.
James W. Rizos, 65, is a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish in Denville where has participated in a large number of programs including “ True Love Waits” and the Pro-Life Committee. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 40 years and they have four children: Gregory, Daniel, Joseph, and Anne Marie. He has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Le Moyne College, Syracuse, N.Y. and a master’s degree in education from the State University of New York.
Elliott J. Stein, 63, is a parishioner of Assumption Parish in Morristown where he has participated as a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and in Baptism preparation program. He and his wife, Alicia, have been married for 30 years and have three children: Alexander, Elizabeth and Andrew. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from S.U.N.Y. and a law degree from Rutgers Law School. He is presently a partner at Stevens and Lee in its Princeton and New York City offices.
German Vargas, 55, is a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson where he has participated in R.C.I.A. and Charismatic Renewal for several years. He and his wife, Sonia, have been married for nine years and have three children: Sonia Mari, Debbie Ann and Sharon. He has been studying sociology in Colombia and is employed at the Windsor Learning Center.
