Archdiocese of Chicago Ordains 15 Deacons

By Dave Brencic

On May 24, 15 men were ordained permanent deacons by Cardinal Francis George at St. Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago.
“The ordination of these 15 men to the diaconate is a great blessing for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the people of God, “said Deacon Bob Puhala, director of the archdiocese’s Deacon Formation Program. “Holy Orders is a tremendous gift and grace both individually and for the Church. Having been formed to share in the bishop’s ministry through service to the Word, Liturgy and Charity, these new deacons can be icons of Christ the Servant in their tri-fold ministry to God’s people. Not to mention their opportunity to be the Church’s visible sacramental sign of diakonia in the community and workplace.”

The following is a brief capsule of who these men are, their wives and families, and their plans for ministry.

Jeremy Carter
Jeremy, and his wife, Denise, of Zion, are members of St. Patrick Church in Wadsworth. The Carters are co-owners of a family furniture store (Britt Carter & Co.) and have three children: Michael, 14; Matthew, 12, and Meghann, 9.
Jeremy, 35, says he has been asked to work on a Peace and Justice Ministry that will be looking to more effectively assist, coordinate and bring awareness to those in need. The parish already has several different social justice ministries such as Peru Mission, the Waukegan Soup Kitchen and working with the sharing parish.
As far as a highlight of formation, Jeremy says it would be his two classmates and best friends Don and Larry. “This faith journey has taken us from Chicago’s streets to Peruvian deserts, from the tops of mountains to flowing rivers of grace, from truck stops to wine vineyards, from castle to homeless shelters. We have traveled down endless paths during these years of formation, and God guided our steps. I could not give as much as I received. I have been so blessed,” Jeremy says.


Franco Foti
Franco and his wife Silvia belong to Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Chicago. Franco, 46, works as a systems analyst. The Fotis have two children: Alessandra, 14, and Gabriel, 10.
After ordination, it’s “a work in progress,” Franco says. He will be devoting time to the three areas of diaconal ministry with emphasis on the sacraments of formation and community outreach. Franco says “sharing with a wonderful group of human beings what diaconal ministry is all about” was his highlight during formation.
Silvia calls the formation program an “amazing process.” She says she appreciates being included “every step of the way so that I could better understand and support my husband in his new life as a deacon.”


Kevin D. Hill
A member of St. John Brebeuf Church in Niles, Kevin, 63, lives in Park Ridge and works as an office assistant for the state of Illinois Department of Agriculture. After ordination, Kevin plans to run the English-speaking Baptism prep classes, be a spiritual director for Ministers of Care and a FOCCUS coach.
“The FIGS/TRGS groups and listening to my classmates talk about how the Holy Spirit has and is changing their lives,” were highlights for Kevin.


Robert J. Landuyt
Robert, 51, and his wife, MaryJo, belong to Our Lady of the Ridge Church in Chicago Ridge. The couple lives in Worth and has five children: Patricia, 28; Daniel, 25; Timothy, 22; Mark 20; and Mykayla, 7.
Robert works as a public safety coordinator at Xavier University. He wants to serve the parish where needed, continue in music ministry and assist with catechesis in religious education. Robert also wants to be an advocate for foster/adoptive parents and victims of abuse and families of abused victims. In addition, he wants to work with families coping with mental illness.
“When I started the process, I could never have imagined the amount of knowledge that I would ascertain. The gift of being able to tap the knowledge of my educators and classmates has been invaluable. No one can take away my experiences,” Robert says. “Besides the academic piece, my spiritual journey has been greatly enhanced through my regular get-togethers with my spiritual director. I do not feel I could have completed the journey to ordination without my spiritual director.”
The formation and academic experience also has been positive for MaryJo. “This has been an opportunity for ongoing formation and academic enrichment that most people would never avail themselves. The knowledge will surely make us better equipped to serve the Lord within the church and community,” MaryJo says.
“This journey has allowed Bob and me to share more intimately in our desire to be involved in the church. I have been more than excited to have Bob share in the common experiences I did as I achieved my degree and experienced formation in all the different archdiocese lay formation programs. It has given us so much to talk about!”


Donald R Maiers
Donald, 42, and his wife, Roxanne, have two children, Savannah, 16, and Shannon, 13. The Maiers, residents of Hoffman Estates, belong to St. Marcelline Church in Schaumburg. Donald works as a data warehousing professional. Once ordained, he will be taking over administration of the baptismal preparation ministry at the parish. The Maiers also will be working with the religious education program.
“There has been so much that was very good” in the program, Donald says. “I would have to say that getting to know both our instructors and fellow candidates and wives was the biggest highlight. I have learned so much from all of them in so many ways.”
According to Roxanne, “attending the Diaconate Formation Program with my husband has been a tremendous gift for me and for us as a couple. I feel blessed for being able to journey along with my husband throughout the past four years and have watched him grow in every way. I can now appreciate and understand what his ‘calling’ to be a deacon really means. His call to sacrifice and to serve others is what we are all called to do and he has acted on that ‘calling.’ On behalf of my daughters, Savannah and Shannon, and myself, we’d like to say how very proud we are of Don becoming a deacon.”


James Minor
Members of Prince of Peace Church in Lake Villa, James and Nancy Minor are residents of Round Lake Beach. James, 46, works as a youth minister. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. After ordination, James plans to be involved with adult faith formation and marriage ministry with Nancy.
“The highlight of the formation process for me was the experience of the summer internships in social justice, sharing parish and home parish. These internships, each in their unique way, took the classroom work and faith sharing that occurred during the year and put it into a concrete and practical experience of ministry,” James says.
“My hope and prayer after ordination is to be able to serve the people of God wherever I am called. I hope to rely on others in my class and others I have met to help me in this work. I am constantly reminded we are simply instruments that God uses to accomplish what He needs. With the unwavering support of my wife and family, I am truly humbled to be able to be one of those instruments.”
Nancy echoed those comments: “The experience of formation for me made me realize how many talented, gifted and dedicated people are members of our class. It is my hope that we remain close with each other after ordination.


John P. Orzechowski
A member of Our Lady of the Ridge Church in Chicago Ridge, John Orzechowski, 51, works with home health care products.After ordination, he plans to work with the RCIA, adult education and Bible study in addition to the usual deacon duties.
During formation, John said he “found all of it very interesting and stimulating, but I think that the highlight was the final summer internship. It was a lot of work, but very rewarding. I felt that it was a good way to see what the commitment of ministry work in the parish would be like. I got to know the people at Our Lady of the Ridge in a deeper way.”


William Schultz
William Schultz, 59, and his wife, Andrea, live in Orland Park and belong to St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Church in Tinley Park. They have a son, 38, two daughters ages 31 and 29, and four grandchildren. William works as a chief inspector/compliance officer for the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
In addition to parish needs, William says he would like to continue working with the addiction/recovery community."Diversity training and both the parish internship and aspirancy year social justice internship were highlights of formation.
Andrea says she is very proud of her husband and humbled by this whole journey.


Barry Schliesmann
Barry Schliesmann, 46, and his wife, Kimberly, belong to Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Church in Winnetka. Barry works as a technology executive. The Schliesmanns have three children, Liam, 12, Annikka, 9, and Tomas, 8.
Barry said his highlight from formation was “learning to pray and praying together as a class.”


Larry Schumacher
Larry Schumacher, 51, and his wife, Karen, from Hoffman Estates, belong to St. Theresa Church in Palatine. The Schumachers have two children, Audrey, 33, and Melissa, 22, and two grandchildren. Larry works as electrical engineer at Motorola.
He says the highlight of formation was “the integration of the whole program, the classes, formation days, Theological Reflection Groups, practicums, retreats, etc, have really prepared me for my diaconate ministry. “The bonds that we made with our fellow classmates were another unexpected highlight. They have all helped me to become a better person. We have had annual Christmas parties and picnics. Our friendships are very strong.”


Edward Simola
Edward Simoloa, 64, and his wife, Elaine, are members of St. William Church in Chicago. The Simolas have a daughter, Erica, and two grandchildren. Edward works as a receiving clerk. Edward says he enjoyed the academic classes, but considers the highlights to be the practicums during the second and third years of studies.
“This is where the rubber meets the road. This is what I have studied for and will be my basic ministries. I look forward to celebrating them,” Edward says. “From going to Chicago-Reed Mental Health Center for my internship after aspirancy to feeding the homeless at St. Stanislaus Kostka soup kitchen, I have found that there are many people who need assistance. While this may not be my ministry within the parish, I look forward to offering my assistance at similar facilities periodically but in a much greater role.”
For her part, Elaine says she is “very honored and privileged to have accompanied my husband on his journey towards the diaconate. I wouldn’t have given up the last four years for anything. Teachings as well as experiences shared were reinforcements of our faith.”


Tim Springer
Tim Springer, 59, and his wife, Lee, belong to St. Jude the Apostle in South Holland. The Springers have four children: Matthew, 32; Sarah, 30; Emily, 27; and Megan 24. Tim works as a vice president of sales for Black Industrial Supply Corp.
After ordination, Tim plans to work with parish ministry, Momma’s Meals, marriage prep and FOCCUS.
“The formation process was enriching in all areas of our lives,” Tim says. “The program enriched our faith and helped us grow in the love of God. We were blessed to have classmates who shared their own faith, their love for God and their love for the Catholic Church. This has sparked into flame the desire to continue to share the gospel and to build the Kingdom of God.”
Lee says her journey in the program has “nourished and strengthened my love for my husband, my family and most importantly, my love for Christ and his people. I am more deeply aware of Christ working in my life. My heart, soul and mind are open to his call.”

Allen Tatara
Allen Tatara, 45, and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, Joseph, 17, Daniel, 15, and Nathan, 15. They belong to St. Hubert Church in Hoffman Estates. Allen works as a marketing manager.
Allen plans to work in youth ministry and serve as lector coordinator and trainer.
He says he really enjoyed “the time spent together with my wife throughout formation. It was a wonderful experience to share our classes together, and I especially loved our ‘talk time’ on the rides to and from class. The social justice internship after aspirancy year was also a spiritual turning point for me.”

Joseph A. Walsh
Joseph A. Walsh, Ph.D, 64, and his wife, Katherine, of River Forest are members of Ascension Church in Oak Park. The Walshes have four children: David, 40; Laura, 39; Maureen, 38; and Matthew, 35; along with nine grandchildren. Joseph is a professor and dean emeritus at the School of Social Work for Loyola University in Chicago.
After ordination, Joseph plans to work in various sacramental activities in the parish with an emphasis on support of young marriages and families.
He says there were three highlights during formation: 1) “The candidates and spouses with whom we were in formation are a wonderful, holy, committed group of people who inspired us throughout; 2) our parish internship with the strong support of the pastor, staff and parishioners was especially helpful; 3) we very much appreciated the involvements with our twinning parish: St. Martin de Porres,” Joseph says.
“The Deacon Formation Program staff is a very competent and generous-hearted group of people who are consistently looking for ways to make the program richer and stronger. The mentor couples who led us in small faith-sharing groups were models of hospitality and good will. They all deserve our deepest thanks.”


Thomas Westerkamp
Thomas Westerkamp, 55, and his wife, Diane, belong to St. James Church in Arlington Heights. They have three children: Laura, 26; Michele, 24; and Christine, 20. Thomas works as a pharmacist. The Westerkamps plan on being involved with the sick and homebound as Ministers of Care, and may assist with the religious education program.
Thomas says conducting prayer services and praying with the staff and residents of the Chicago Read Mental Health Center during aspirancy year were real highlights for him.
“Socializing with, and getting to know people who have been in the mental health systems for years, and even decades, was humbling, spiritual and inspiring.
“One of the most fulfilling ‘fringe benefits’ of the formation program was getting to know classmates and spouses who are faith-filled, wonderful, caring people of God.”
For her part, Diane says, “It has been an exciting and challenging journey that has enhanced my spiritual growth. It has ignited a burning desire in me to deepen my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And I look forward to the end of this experience and the beginning of the next.”