By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Diocese of Honolulu is accompanying 10 men discerning the call to the permanent diaconate. Cohort 11 has completed two years of aspirancy, where the men prayerfully discerned the diaconate vocation. At monthly formation gatherings at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, they dove into theology, the spirituality and ministry of a deacon, spiritual direction, and more.
On Jan. 14, these men will take the next step in their formation and declare their willingness to be candidates for the holy order at the Rite of Candidacy Mass, 11:15 a.m. in the diocesan center’s chapel. The Mass is open to the public.
One of the men is from Molokai, two are from the Big Island, and the rest are from Oahu.
The men are:
- Robert Sean Berg, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua, Oahu
- Barry M. Danielson, St. Jude Church, Kapolei, Oahu
- Peter A. Gumataotao, Holy Trinity Church, Honolulu, Oahu
- Stephen E.K.L. Lee Sr., St. Ann Church, Kaneohe, Oahu
- Emilio Macalalad, St. Damien of Molokai, Kaunakakai, Molokai
- John W. Pollard, Sacred Heart Church, Hawi, Hawaii Island
- Alvin A. Sniffen, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach, Oahu
- Julian Taifmai, St. Joseph Church, Hilo, Hawaii Island
- Clifford B. Villareal, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach, Oahu
- Jared M. Zick, St. Elizabeth Church, Aiea, Oahu
In the next three years of their formation, if the men have discerned a true calling and successfully met the standards for readiness set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, they will be ordained in 2027.
The eight men of the diocese’s Cohort 10 have completed their formation. Six of them will be ordained at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa at 10 a.m. on Jan. 20, and two will be ordained on Jan. 27 at St. Joseph Church in Makawao, Maui, at 10 a.m.
