Bishop Larry Silva conferred the ministry of acolyte on 11 candidates for the permanent diaconate, during a morning Mass Feb. 12 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center chapel.
The men, who make up the diocese’s eighth class of aspirants to the diaconate, are in their fifth and final year of formation.
The remaining months of 2017 will be spent in practical training for diaconal ministry. Their ordinations will be scheduled for 2018.
Receiving the ministry of acolyte were Glenn M. Brown, St. Jude, Kapolei; Ricardo M. Burgos, St. John the Baptist, Kalihi; Craig S. Camello, St. Benedict, Honaunau; Andres Emayo, Jr., Holy Cross, Kalaheo; Raymond L. Lamb, St. John the Baptist, Kalihi; Rafael A. Mendoza, Co-Cathedral St. Theresa, Honolulu; Alfredo Nebre Jr., St. Catherine, Kapaa; Jonathan R. Ocampo, Immaculate Conception, Ewa; Christopher S. Ribucan, Holy Rosary, Paia; Gerald E. Streff, St. Jude, Kapolei; and David W. Watson, St. Joseph, Hilo.
The candidates and their wives have been going to St. Stephen Diocesan Center for one weekend a month since January 2013 for academic formation provided by Chaminade University, a homiletics lab and meetings with the Class 9 Core Team Leaders. The candidates have also completed one year of prison ministry and hospital and hospice ministry.
The Office of Permanent Deacon Formation is co-directed by Deacon John Coughlin and Kathleen Coughlin.
