Eleven men ordained as Permanent Deacons reached the altar of St. Agnes Parish in Naples by very different paths.
One thing they had in common: it was through their passionate belief in their Faith, and with the support of their wives, children, family and friends, that these men arrived to the next step in the faith journey through Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Venice on May 31, 2025, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The newly ordained are: Richard E. Dahn, of St. Agnes Parish; Richard A. Hellenbrand, St. Andrew Parish, Cape Coral; Thomas A. Januszka, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish, Parrish; Stephen L. Jendrysik, Incarnation Parish, Sarasota; James N. Jenkins, St. William Parish, Naples; Ramon R. Kanacheril, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Fort Myers; Mark A. Osterhaus, St. Agnes Parish; Orlando A. Rubiano, St. Vincent de Paul Parish; Jeff A. Tenbarge, St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples; John-William M. Trainer III, St. Peter the Apostle Parish; and Edward J. Watson, Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria.
The men processed into St. Agnes Parish dressed in the white albs of candidates. It wasn’t until Bishop Frank J. Dewane laid his hands upon the head of each candidate that they were officially ordained Deacons. During this moment, in silence, he laid his hands on each man’s head and prayed for an outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The imposition of the Bishop’s hands confers grace and spiritual power.
The election by Bishop Dewane includes the following prayer: “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers, for the Order of the Diaconate.” The gathered deacons, priests and faithful responded: “Thanks be to God.”
The mission of a Permanent Deacon in the Church is to: serve as a minister of charity, address the needs of others and strive to meet those needs; serve as ministers of the Word, when they proclaim the Gospel, preaching and teaching; serve as ministers of the Sacrament of Baptism; witness marriages; conduct wake and graveside services; and lead the faithful in prayer.
At the start of the formal Rite, the candidates were individually called forth before Bishop Dewane by Deacon Roberto Landron, Assistant Diaconate Director of Formation, and then they were presented to the Bishop for his examination by Father Eric Scanlan, Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program.
Citing from Romans 12:9-16, the second reading from the Ordination Mass, Bishop Dewane said it serves as an instruction manual for Deacons. It conjures up the Idea that you don’t grow slack in zeal; be fervent in spirit; persevere in prayer; exercise hospitality; and serve the Lord. Above all you are called to hold on to what is good. Be aware of what the Lords asks of you this day.”
“Today you will be consecrated by the laying on of hands – passed down from the Apostles – to the service you will do at the altar and will carry out in the ministry of charity,” Bishop Dewane said. “That word charity translates as love. You are the deliverer of love and assistance to the Parish in the name of the Bishop or the Pastor. Be conscious that you now represent others, not just yourselves. Be recognized as a disciple of the Lord who did not come to be served but to serve. That is at the core of who you are called to be.”
A Deacon is at his best when serving, Bishop Dewane added. This is true because they come forward and present themselves of their own free will, just like the Apostles, being men of good reputation and filled with the Holy Spirit.
“Be firmly planted and grounded in the faith; something quite different than mere knowledge,” Bishop Dewane continued. “Strive to live a better life; to give that example that is needed among the people of God. Do your best to be beyond reproach – whether from God or people in the community. Always turn to the word of Jesus Christ. Know it, understand it, because you can’t just only hear it, but you have to be doers of your faith and live that Word of God.”
At the conclusion of the homily Bishop Dewane encouraged the men by saying, “Live your life as Deacons, so that you, quoting from Scripture – ‘Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’ Let that be the message that this Diaconate Ordination today brings to you when you do meet our Lord in heaven.”
The Ordination Rite continued with the Promise of the Elect, wherein the candidates came forward, and the Bishop asked them whether they were willing to accept the responsibilities of the ministry: to live in humble charity, to hold fast to the mystery of the faith, to celebrate the liturgy of hours with and for the People of God, and to maintain and deepen their prayer lives. To each question, the candidates responded, “I do.” Then each individually approached and knelt before Bishop to give their promise of obedience to the Bishop and his successors.
Next in the Rite was the Litany of Supplication, where the Bishop invited the people to pray while the Elect then prostrated themselves before the altar as the Litany of Saints was sung and all responded. Following the Litany, with outstretched hands, the Bishop prayed the Diaconate Ordination Prayer, and when completed, all answered, “Amen.” The Elect then again went before the Bishop and knelt before him. The Bishop then laid his hands upon the head of each in silence.
The final step was the Handing on of the Book of Gospels, when the Bishop placed the Book in the hands of each Deacon and said: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” The Rite was concluded with the fraternal greeting by the Bishop and all Deacons present.
The group of new Deacons approached the ordination in nervous and joyful thanksgiving. Each said they were humbled at the prospect that God is using them to serve the Church. They also noted that throughout their Diaconate formation journey they put their trust in God.
Following the ordination, Deacon Jendrysik of Incarnation Parish in Sarasota said that he “felt wonderful.” Deacon Tenbarge of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples said, “I am overwhelmingly blessed and happy.” Deacon Rubiano of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Fort Myers, said he has been on great high since the ordination, “fueled by the Holy Spirit! It still hasn’t sunk in yet, and trying to get used to being called Deacon. I think the best analogy is that it felt like my Wedding Day. On that day I married my earthly bride. Ordination Day I married my heavenly bride, The Church!”
In addition to family, many friends and supporters, priests, deacons, Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta, Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, and Knights of Columbus were present for the ceremony. The celebration was streamed live for anyone unable to attend.
A reception followed in the Parish Hall where friends and family congratulated the men on this special day.
