New diaconate class beginning in 2025

Bishop Michael Barber is calling forth men to discern a vocation to the diaconate, to become a deacon in the Catholic Church.

A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There are three groups, or "orders," of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served."

Beginning in January 2025, men who meet the initial criteria will meet in inquiry sessions to explore the call to diaconal ministry and to gain understanding of the requirements, the process and the commitment involved in becoming a deacon.  

This is the first step in the screening and application process to enter into formation for ordination to the diaconate.

For more information:
Deacon Timothy Moore
Director of Permanent Deacon Formation and
Director of the Permanent Diaconate
[email protected] |  510-267-8305

• Practicing Catholic for 10 years or more.

• Must have received the sacraments of 
  Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist and be validly married by the Church, if applicable.

• Between 33 and 60 years old (inclusive) 
  at the time of application.

• Good physical and mental health.

• Gainfully employed or otherwise financially secure.

• Have sufficient time to devote to the 
  formation program.

• Demonstrates leadership ability and a calling to the Church’s social justice ministry.

• f married, have both oral and written support, endorsement and consent of his wife and family. His wife should be willing to participate in the formation process.

• A commitment to celibacy is required of unmarried and widowed candidates. 

DEACON FORMATION CLASS
Men and their wives who are interested in learning more about the diaconate are invited to attend one of the following informational sessions. 

Meeting dates:
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, 2-3 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, 2-3 p.m.

Meeting location:
Church of the Transfiguration parish hall
4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley

Seven answered the call
Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, celebrated the Rite of Candidacy to the Permanent Diaconate for seven men on Oct. 12 at St. Raymond Parish in Dublin. Their formation will continue for the next three years. A class of 14 permanent deacons will be ordained in 2025. Bishop Barber presided at the Rite of Reader for them on Nov. 16 at St. Ambrose in Berkeley. 

Please pray for these men, who are in formation as candidates for the diaconate in our diocese, as well as their families and their formation teams. 

CANDIDATES FOR THE PERMANENT DIACONATE

Class of 2023-2027
Oscar Antonio, Jr., Christ the King, Pleasant Hill
Ermes Becerra, St. Joseph Basilica, Alameda
Frank Cabrera, St. Bede, Hayward
Rene Giron, Jr., St. Catherine of Siena, Martinez
Richard Hughes, Holy Spirit, Fremont
David Schwarzenberger, St. Raymond, Dublin
Michael Wiley, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Brentwood

Class of 2021-2025
Mario Butzner, Jr., The Catholic Community of Pleasanton
Domingo Comandante II, St. Edward, Newark
Jose Felicano, Holy Spirit, Fremont
Michael Gallagher, The Catholic Community of Pleasanton
Oscar Garcia Gutierrez, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fremont
Nelson Gonzales, Christ the King, Pleasant Hill
Rey Gonzales Valenzuela, St. Ambrose, Berkeley
Victor Herrera Garcia, St. Francis of Assisi, Concord
Sunil Kunju, Holy Spirit, Fremont
Keith Machi, St. Isidore, Danville
Wynn Norona, Christ the King, Pleasant Hill 
Jesus Ochoa, St. Bonaventure, Concord
Martin Padilla, St. Charles Borromeo, Livermore 
Sevuloni Ratabumusu, St. Jarlath, Oakland

Photos by Joe Golling