PHOTOS: Bishop McKnight ordained 13 permanent deacons, Part 2

May 4, 2019, Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City

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Bishop W. Shawn McKnight ordains 13 men as permanent deacons at a special Mass the morning of Saturday, May 4, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

They include: Deacon Jon Bequette, who lives in Hallsville; Deacon Michael Berendzen, who lives in Jefferson City; Deacon Brad Jones, who lives in Lohman; Deacon Chris Korte, who lives in Kirksville; Deacon Luke Mahsman, who lives in Palmyra; Deacon Jaime Medina, who lives in Marshall; Deacon Nestor Montenegro, who lives in Sedalia; Deacon J. Amparo Orozco, who lives in Marshall; Deacon Luis Reyes, who lives in Marshall; Deacon Chris Sago, who lives in Moberly; Deacon Robert Schowengerdt, who lives in Clark; Deacon William Seibert, who lives in Jefferson City; and Deacon John Watkins, who lives in Hannibal.

The men, all of whom are married, join 70 other permanent deacons in active service in the Diocese. The diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry in the Catholic Church.

Deacons are called to several roles and responsibilities in the Church. This includes proclaiming the Gospel during the liturgy, preaching, teaching and leading people in prayer, baptizing, witnessing marriages and conducting funerals and wakes. They also bear a responsibility to be leaders in identifying the needs of others, organizing the Church’s response to those needs and eliminating the injustices or inequities causing such needs. (77 photos)

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