From the Arlington Catholic Herald:
A native of Colombia, two former Navy officers, a sales executive, a principal and an unmarried man joined the ranks of close to 90 deacons in the Arlington Diocese when they were ordained permanent deacons Jan. 14 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington.
The church filled early with family and friends, some coming from as far away as Colombia. Family members described the journey of the deacons as a natural progression.
The six new deacons are: Gerard-Marie Anthony, assigned to St. Timothy Church in Chantilly; Orlando J. Barros, assigned to All Saints Church in Manassas; Thomas L. Grodek, assigned to Holy Spirit Church in Annandale; Mark R. Maines, assigned to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester; Michael J. O’Neil, assigned to Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria; and Timothy H. Slayter, assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Manassas.
Father Paul D. Scalia, episcopal vicar for clergy and diocesan director of the diaconate formation program, described the deacons as a tight-knit group.
Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the ordination Mass. Concelebrating were retired Bishop Paul S. Loverde, diocesan priests and priest friends of the ordinandi.
In his brief conversations with the newly ordained deacons, Bishop Burbidge said he knows how grateful they are to their families, friends, Bishop Loverde and others.
“Most especially, I know how grateful you are to God, the One who has chosen you, the One who has called you,” he said. “We pray that with God’s grace you will be faithful to the promises of ordination.”
Congratulations and welcome, brothers! Ad multos annos!
