On Friday, June 27, seven men will be ordained to the permanent diaconate at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption. The ordination will be livestreamed at 2:30 p.m. at saginaw.org and on the Diocesan Facebook and YouTube pages.
The candidates being ordained to the permanent diaconate include:
- Matt Begres, Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Pleasant
- John Copes, St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove
- Hugh LeFevre, St. Dominic Parish, Saginaw
- Jason Rasmussen, Holy Spirit Parish, Shields
- Bob Sasiela, St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw
- Lenn Stankiewicz, St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove
- Bob Zondlak, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Midland
*Parish assignments will be shared soon and may differ from parishes listed above.
Each of these men has a unique story, background, call and desire to serve the Church. While they have wide-ranging backgrounds, from engineering to information technology, each has a servant's heart.
"As a young child is when I felt the call to Holy Orders and this call has always remained within me," said Bob Zondlak. "My grandmother was instrumental in shaping my faith life through her example of living a Christian life based on her strong faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ."
"When I was a young child, I felt a calling from God but did not know at that time what that calling was," said Matthew Begres. "I twice discerned the priesthood, but God sent me on another path and the vocation of marriage. Once my four children were all off to college and careers and life started to slow down a little, I again heard a calling that I needed to do more with my faith in the Catholic Church."
The future permanent deacons also shared more about themselves including their future hopes. Their answers to these questions can be seen below:
1. What is the place of your birth and your current home parish?
2. Share a little about your family (wife and number of kids, if applicable) and your past/current professional background.
3 . When and how did you first sense a call to the permanent diaconate?
4. What does being ordained to the permanent diaconate mean to you?
5. What are you most looking forward to in your diaconal ministry?
- Matt Begres, Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Pleasant
Hello,
My name is Matthew Begres, and I am one of seven Diaconate candidates scheduled for ordination on June 27, 2025. I was born in Fenton, Michigan where I received my first three sacraments at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. I then moved to the U.P. and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gaastra, Michigan. I currently reside in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and my home parish is The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
I attended Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant and obtained an Engineering degree in 1984. This is where I met the love of my life and future wife Vicki (Theisen) Begres. We were married in 1985 at The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and have been blessed with four beautiful children, Jacob Begres, Ashleigh Begres, Brittany (Begres) Van Houten, and Kristina (Begres) D”Mello as well as three beautiful grandchildren and one on the way. I worked at The Delfield Company, an international food service equipment manufacturer, for 38 years and recently retired in June.
When I was a young child, I felt a calling from God but did not know at that time what that calling was. I twice discerned the priesthood, but God sent me on another path and the vocation of marriage. Once my four children were all off to college/careers and life started to slow down a little, I again heard a calling that I needed to do more with my faith in the Catholic Church. I was an Extraordinary Minister, Sacristan, leader of our men’s bible study group but there was something missing. My thirst for a better understanding of my faith steered me down the path of Lay Ministry and I was commissioned in 2020. After being commissioned, God’s calling to the Diaconate felt right to be the next step in my faith journey. There were multiple people that have been placed in the path of my faith journey that have helped me through the process and have been instrumental in giving me the confidence to respond to God’s calling.
This journey has blessed me to share it with six other outstanding men who like me, are answering a deeper calling by God. Like the original seven Deacons mentioned in scripture, we are a band of brothers brought together to share in the blood of Christ with each other. Our journey has also been blessed to have the wives, of those married, join in our faith journey and attend the classes with us. This has truly been a blessing and rewarding experience for the candidates as well as the wives as they have also built a bond that will last a lifetime.
Being involved, sharing my faith, and basically serving others was never an option for me. Becoming an Ordained Deacon is the natural progression and next step in my faith journey and devotion to the Church and the answer to God’s calling that started when I was a young child. Being able to serve in this capacity for the Catholic Church, where I will be able to care for others through the sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony, share the word of God at Mass, and bring others to a spiritual reunion with Christ and the Church, will allow me to continue on the path of a humble servant of Christ.
Peace of Christ be with you and yours.- John Copes, St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove
John Copes, St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove
1. Born and raised in Chesaning MI
2. Home Parish – St. Catherine of Siena Parish of Bay City
3. Married to Tammy – 38 years.
a. 2 sons:
i. Taylor married to Marisa
1. They have blessed us with three grandchildren:
a. Rae
b. Fitz
c. Ari
ii. Trevor – girlfriend Christina
b. Work / education
i. Bachelor of Science Degree – Majoring in Accounting from Ferris State 1985
ii. 42 years in manufacturing
iii. Retired in 2023
iv. Became a Director of Parish Life for the Diocese of Saginaw in 2024 for the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena of Bay City
4. God’s calling, nudging me to do more for God and His Church was always present throughout my life. It became more prevalent upon finishing the Lay Ministry program at the Diocese of Saginaw. At that same time a new class of aspirants for the diaconate program was starting.
5. I firmly believe that being ordained a Deacon has always been the path that God has chosen for me; a path that allows me to serve Him and His Church, through the use of the talents that God has given me.
6. Looking forward, not knowing where or how God will use me, I am both excited as well as humbled knowing that God has found me worthy of serving Him and His Church.The decision by Bishop Gruss to have my spouse (Tammy) alongside me, actively participating in the classes and retreats has proven to be a further bonding for us in our marriage and has strengthened our faith. My wife, as the result of accompanying me, also has a better understanding of and appreciation for the obligations of a deacon
- Hugh LeFevre, St. Dominic Parish, Saginaw
- 1. Place of birth: Saginaw, Michigan.I was baptized at St. Stephens Parish, now St. Dominic's, where I remain a parishioner to date.2. My wife, Doris, and I have five children, four daughters all of whom are married and a son who is engaged to be married on July 12th. We have 13 grandchildren. I am a lawyer practicing law in Saginaw, Michigan. I have practiced with my father, Leonard H. LeFevre, and my sister, Ruth Buko. I currently practice with my daughter, Jessica Gentile.3. I believe my call to the diaconate was a long process that built over my youth. I thought about the priesthood growing up but I went away to college, got married and had children. As my children grew older, I had more time and more seriously discerned the diaconate until I entered formation.4. I think becoming a permanent deacon allows me to assist people in a way others cannot. As an attorney, there are certain things I can do such as appearing in court, signing pleadings and assisting my clients by virtue of my law license and admission to practice law in the State of Michigan. Likewise, as a permanent deacon, I will be able to assist God's people in a way others cannot by virtue of my ordination. Although most of what I expect to do as a deacon will not require ordination. I believe the education and training I received in my formation as a deacon will assist me in those areas. I also believe it will be a benefit to those I will serve as an official representative of the Church.5. What I am most looking forward to in my diaconal ministry goes hand-in-hand with what becoming a permanent deacon means to me. As an ordained deacon, there are certain functions that I will be able to perform that other non-ordained individuals cannot, similar to that of a licensed lawyer. Although most of what I do will not require ordination, I believe the religious education and training I received along with my life's experiences, i.e., a lawyer, husband, father, etc, will, allow me to serve in ways different from priests and religious. Having one foot in the Church and one in the secular world.In spite of all of my flaws, I believe that God has given me the life experiences that He wants to use in my ministry, I hope and pray that I can discharge those duties according to God's will.HUGH R. LeFEVRE
- Jason Rasmussen, Holy Spirit Parish, Shields
1. I was born in Saginaw, MI. My home parish is Holy Spirit Parish of Saginaw. Holy Spirit has been my home parish my entire life.
2. I am not married. Both of my parents are still living and have supported me in my journey to the diaconate. I have a younger sister and younger brother. Both are married and have families of their own. I have 4 nieces and 1 nephew. I also have a family connection to one of the other deacon candidates. My brother is married to Bob Sasiela's niece.
I have worked at the Diocese of Saginaw since September 2021 as the Information Technology Manager. Prior to the diocese I worked for Saginaw Intermediate School District for almost 20 years in Information Technology.3. A little background: I was a seminarian for the diocese in 2013-2014. Before I attended seminary, I really did not know what a deacon was. At that time, we did not have a lot of permanent deacons in the diocese and my parish never had one. The permanent deacon class of 2017 was just beginning formation. I discerned out of seminary in 2014.
I started Lay Ministry formation in 2016. Throughout lay ministry formation, the call I felt when I went to seminary never went away. It's not doing God's will that is tough; it's figuring out what His will is. Through prayer, spiritual direction, and encouragement from others, I was able to hear God's call to the permanent diaconate.4. I have always been drawn to the image of Christ the Servant. One of my favorite scripture readings is the Gospel of John from Holy Thursday (John 13:1-15). Through ordination to the diaconate, I will be configured to Christ the Servant. In my faith journey I seek to follow Jesus means to be a servant to others.
5. The threefold ministry of a deacon encompasses service to the Word, the liturgy, and charity. Charity is the most important and the most challenging. I look forward to serving others and helping to bring them closer to God. As a deacon, I will be devoting my life to serving others and doing God's work following the model Jesus set for me to follow.
- Bob Sasiela, St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw
1. I was born and grew up in Bay City, MIchigan - but currently live in Saginaw Township. My Current Home Parish is Saginaw St. Joseph.
2. I have been married for 32+ years to my beautiful wife Diane. We have three grown children - and our oldest daughter and son-in-law just blessed us with our first grandchild two weeks ago - so we have many things to be thankful for this month, in addition to the Ordination.
I received my Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and have been employed 40+ years in Finance areas of the Automotive Industry.
3 . There was no singular "aha" moment. I believe the Lord had been calling me for a long time by the places, people, and experiences He had placed in my life - especially within my family and the church communities that I have been part of over the years. Just as Elijah did not find God in the earthquake, wind or fire - but in the still, small voice - the Lord had been calling me. I finally decided to listen to His voice and entered the Lay Ministry Program for the Diocese of Saginaw and then the Permanent Diaconate Program.
4. It's not about me - it's all about Him - and fulfilling the plans He has for me. As we hear in the prophet Jeremiah, He has a plan and purpose for all of us - a purpose that leads ultimately to the good - and I await with hope and excitement the future He has waiting for me!
5. I look forward to serving the people of God and becoming a part of their lives at those special moments we will be celebrating together. By serving them and the Church as best as I can - with the help and grace of God - I hope I can pass on my faith and love of the Lord to them so that I positively impact their lives.
- Lenn Stankiewicz, St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove
1. Born in Mount Clemens, Michigan, current Parish - St. Michael's Church in Maple Grove
2. Wife - Anne (married in 1984)
Children - Leann Devries (spouse Brent), Tricia Maul (spouse Mitch), Joshua (spouse Amber), Caleb, and Rebekah
Grandchildren - Isabella DeVries, Ryleigh Ketchum (Tricia's child), plus one due in August
Work as a Lead test engineer for electronic devices and systems3 . I sensed the call to the diaconate through many gentle promptings in my prayer time and also the encouragement of others that started approximately 6 years ago.
4. Being ordained to the permanent diaconate fills me with a great sense of gratitude and awe for an ever deepening relationship with God. I also feel a deeper sense of responsibility.
5. I look forward to reaching out and serving others in new ways wherever I am placed.- Bob Zondlak, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Midland
City of birth: Midland, MI
Parish: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Midland)
2. Married to Sandy Zondlak for 30 years. Sandy is working for the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan as a Finance Manager.
One son, Stewart who graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Business Administration: Finance (major) and Business Information Systems (minor). Stewart is a Senior Financial Analyst with GoHealth Urgent Care.
I have worked for The Dow Chemical Company for 32 years in engineering and learning management. I am currently working for the Diocese of Saginaw in the Office of Liturgy within the Department of Parish Life and Evangelization.
3 . As a young child is when I felt the call to Holy Orders and this call has always remained within me. My grandmother was instrumental in shaping my faith life through her example of living a Christian life based on her strong faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. For me, being ordained a permanent deacon means service and works of charity to others. It's about listening, being docile and surrendering to God's will, so I can become the disciple he wants me to be in serving his Church.
5. I look forward to serving the People of God in the ministries of word, liturgy, and charity. I hope to embody the call to serve, following the example of Jesus, who came as a servant. I am also looking forward to how the diaconal ministry will evolve for Sandy and me, and the blessings we will receive from it.
About Deacons
Deacons are ministers of the Catholic Church, ordained to be sacramental signs of Christ the Servant. As members of the clergy (alongside bishops and priests), they preside at baptisms and funerals outside of Mass, witness marriages, perform works of mercy, assist at the altar, preach, teach, lead the faithful in prayer, and much more.
The Diocese of Saginaw currently has 21 permanent deacons, some of whom are married and some who are single. Men who sense that God may be calling them to serve as a permanent deacon should e-mail diaconate@diosag.org or call the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at 989.797.6662. Learn more about the permanent deacon formation program here.