Advertisements ad

June 8, 2008

Archdiocese of Chicago welcomes eight new men to permanent diaconate ministry

The Archdiocese of Chicago welcomed eight new permanent deacons May 25.

The men were ordained by Cardinal George at St. Cletus in La Grange after they completed years of preparation and discernment. The men now will minister to their parishes by assisting at Mass and celebrating sacraments such as baptism and matrimony, preaching homilies and engaging in acts of service.

Deacon Bob Puhala, director of the Deacon Formation Program, said the men were well-prepared.

“After four years of discernment and formation, these eight men have shown to everyone connected with the Deacon Formation Program that through their service to a deacon’s tri-fold ministry of the Word, liturgy and charity and justice, all will recognize them as true disciples of Jesus,” Puhala said. “As the Prayer of Ordination says, they have striven to embody every Gospel virtue: unfeigned love, concern for the sick and poor, unassuming authority, the purity of innocence and the observance of spiritual discipline. These are extraordinary, selfless men who, with the support of their wives and families, have emptied themselves to be like Christ for others. Their ministries should be invaluable to the archdiocese and their parishes.”

The new deacons join more than 600 permanent deacons ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago since 1972 — the year the first permanent deacons were ordained here after the church reinstated the permanent diaconate in the late 1960s.

All of the new deacons are married; their wives participated in much of their formation and education with them, and many will continue to serve the church. The new deacons and their wives are:

  • Mike and Donna Barnish, Sacred Heart Parish in Melrose Park. The Barnishes have two daughters Megan, 16, and Debra, 13. Donna Barnish earned a certificate of studies in pastoral ministry from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary during the Deacon Formation Program.

    Mike Barnish, 52, works as an athletic trainer.

    While his plans are not finalized, Barnish said he will probably be coordinating the parish RCIA program and would like to “explore the possibility of hospital ministry after additional training.”

  • Andy and Maggie Beierwaltes, St. John Brebeuf Parish in Niles. The couple has four children: Julie, 20; Drew, 18; Kristen, 16 and Evan, 11.

    Andy Beierwaltes, 48, works as a financial adviser/planner.

    Beierwaltes plans to work with youth ministry, baptismal preparation and serve as spiritual director for Holy Name Men’s Club. For Beierwaltes, there was not one particular highlight of formation.

  • David and Diana Bresemann, St. Joseph Parish in Round Lake. The Bresemanns have two children: Sarah, 23, and Jacob, 18.

    David Bresemann, 52, works as a truck driver and warehouseman.

    He said he does not know what his ministry focus will be.

  • David J. and Mary Beth Kalina, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview. The Kalinas have two children: Matthew, 34, and Michael, 29. Mary Beth Kalina earned a certificate of studies in pastoral ministry during the formation program.

    David Kalina, 61, is retired. After ordination, the Kalinas have been asked to organize and coordinate the bereavement ministry in the parish.

  • Stephen I. and Lupe Rynkiewicz, the Catholic community of Waukegan and North Chicago — Holy Family, Immaculate Conception and Queen of Peace. The Rynkiewiczes live in Winthrop Harbor. The couple has a son Matthew, 21; a stepson Marc, his wife Heidi and daughter Heidi Maria; and stepdaughter Carmela, her husband Rory and sons Rory Jr. and Danny. Lupe Rynkiewicz earned a certificate of studies in pastoral ministry during the formation program.

    Stephen Rynkiewicz, 46, works as an associate pharmacist for Abbott Laboratories. The Rynkiewiczes hope to be involved in religious education and marriage preparation, “but we will always be open to the call of the Holy Spirit.”

  • Christopher and Jenipher Savage, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Lake Villa. The Savages, who live in Antioch, have three children: Lauren, 11, Collin, 9, and Andrew 7.

    Chris Savage, 37, works as an application analyst at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare. Jenipher Savage earned a certificate of studies during the formation program.

    Savage said he is considering ministry in the RCIA program in the parish.

  • John E. Schopp IV and Mary Ellen Schopp, St. John of the Cross Parish in Western Springs. The Schopps have two children: Rachael, 12, and Morgan, 8.

    John Schopp, 46, is owner of a consulting firm that provides project engineering, project management and construction management services.

    Schopp said after ordination, he would like to spend more time in the areas of marriage ministry, and serving the homebound and hospitalized

  • Erik and Patricia Zeimys, Nativity of Our Lord Parish. The Zeimys have a 2-year-old son, Erik.

    Eric Zeimys, 35, works as a heavy equipment mechanic.

    “My wife and I are already involved in many ministries. We are forming a baptismal prep program in our parish and developing an adult Bible/faith study program. We are also looking forward to marriage prep and where the spirit will lead us in the future,” Zeimys said.