Cardinal Maida to Ordain 12 Permanent Deacons

Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of Detroit, will ordain 12 men into the permanent diaconate in a ceremony on October 4 at Detroit's Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. The new ordinations bring the number of permanent deacons serving in the Archdiocese of Detroit to 189.

Permanent deacons bring a special sensitivity in ministering to the needs of the family; to single parents; to students; the aged; the sick; the imprisoned; the chemically dependent; the poor and the alienated. Among their many duties, they often proclaim the Gospel at Mass and preside at weddings and rosary services for the deceased. A listing of the newly ordained deacons follows.

Deacon Michael P. Barthel, 46, is a licensed respiratory therapist with Wright & Filippis Home Medical. He served his internship at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods. Deacon Barthel and his wife, Tracey have three children and are members of St. Angela Parish, Roseville.

Deacon Thomas J. Carter, 62, is retired. He served his internship at St. Isidore, Macomb Township. Deacon Carter and his wife, Mary Ann, have two children and five grandchildren and are members of St. Paul of Tarsus, Clinton Township.

Deacon Scott A. Chadwick, 41, is a program manager for Centracore LLC. He served his internship at St. Clement, Center Line. Deacon Chadwick and his wife, Virginia, have three children and are members of St. Michael Parish, Sterling Heights.

Deacon David J. Fleming, 44, is a sales engineer for Allied Machine & Engineering Corp. He served his internship at St. James, Ferndale. Deacon Fleming and his wife, Kelly, have two children and are members of St. Dennis Parish, Royal Oak.

Deacon Jack F. Gardener, Jr., 52, is business manager at St. Linus Parish, Dearborn Heights. He served his internship at Most Holy Redeemer, Detroit. He and his wife, Lynette, have four children and are members of St. Linus Parish, Dearborn Heights.

Deacon Kurt John Godfryd, 46, is business officer for Cranbrook Schools, and adjunct faculty member, Oakland University Department of Economics. He served his internship at St. Cornelius, Dryden. Deacon Godfryd and his wife, Diana, have four surviving children and are members of St. Joseph Parish, Lake Orion.

Deacon Daniel F. Gonos, 55, is managing director at First Step Telecommunications, LLC. He served his internship at St. Anastasia, Troy. Deacon Gonos and his wife, Patricia Ann, are members of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish, Bloomfield Hills.

Deacon William J. Kolarik, 44, is business manager at Everest Academy. He served his internship at Sacred Heart, Imlay City. Deacon Kolarik and his wife, Linda, have two children and two grandchildren and are members of Immaculate Conception Parish, Lapeer.

Deacon Michael F. Lang, Sr., 58, is a credit and collections specialist for Christian Financial Credit Union. He served his internship at St. Athanasius, Roseville. Deacon Lang and his wife, Diane, have six children and 17 grandchildren and are members of Holy Name Parish, Birmingham.

Deacon Stephen P. Talbot, 56, is the director of business development and marketing for Asset Management Resources, a division of Teksystems, Inc. He served his internship at Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford Township. Deacon Talbot and his wife, Elizabeth have two children and are members of St. Daniel Parish, Clarkston.

Deacon Lawrence S.F. Toth, 56, is pastoral associate and parish business manager at St. Valentine, Redford Township. He served his internship at Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington. Deacon Toth and his wife, Stephanie Mary, have four children and are members of St. Valentine Parish, Redford Township.

Deacon Ronald W. Vader, 49, is capacity coordinator for Detroit Edison. He served his internship at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Plymouth. Deacon Vader and his wife, Mary Morrison, have three children and are members of St. Priscilla Parish, Livonia.