On June 11, 2017, eight men were ordained permanent deacons by the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. The new permanent deacons include:
Daniel Corbat, St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, Midland; Lawrence Deford, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Midland; Librado (Larry) Gayton, St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw; Steven George, Holy Spirit Parish, Shields; Timothy Hartwig, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Essexville; Kenneth Kochany, Our Lady of Peace Parish, Bay City; Todd Lovas, Nativity of the Lord Parish, Alma; and Richard (Rick) Warner, St. John Vianney Parish, Saginaw.
Also during the Mass, Bishop Cistone ordained Dr. Jerome (Jerry) Green, pastoral administrator of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Shepherd, to the transitional diaconate. This means that he, unlike the other eight, plans to continue discerning priesthood for the Diocese of Saginaw.
Downloadable photos are available here
About Deacons
Deacons are ordained ministers of the Catholic Church. They perform works of mercy, preach, teach, baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and much more. More information about the diaconate may be found here. Those interested in applying for the Permanent Deacon Formation Program for the Diocese of Saginaw may contact Dr. Dan Osborn at diaconate@dioceseofsaginaw.org or 989.797.6662.
Bishop Cistone's Ordination Homily
TV5 Story About Deacon Librado "Larry" Gayton Days Before Ordination