Date of Birth

June 3, 1954

Spouse’s Name

Peggy Gray (Margaret Ann Gray)

Year Married

1974

Number of children

2 children and 3 grandchildren

Employment

Eli Lilly & Company, Tippecanoe Laboratory

Parish

St. Boniface, Lafayette, IN

Year joined parish

1979

Interest/Hobbies

Golf

Parish Activities/Ministry involvement

Reader, Extra Ordinary Minister of Hoy Communion, Past Continuation Committee member of CRHP, Cursillo, Past member of RCIA team, and Past Religious Education Teacher.

Devotion to particular saint and why

St. Michael the Archangel, he has guided me in a special way along my life’s spiritual journey. Also Various St. Johns (the Baptist, Vianney, of the Cross, the Evangelist) All have a special lesson of life to follow.

Comments regarding the call to the diaconate

I was called from my early years as an altar server and latter in life during Eucharistic Adoration and Consecration to Mary as a “Knight of the Immaculata."

Date of Birth

May 5, 1948

Spouse’s Name

Judith

Year Married

1976

Number of children

1 - Son

Employment

Greater Lafayette Health Services-St. Elizabeth School of Nursing

Parish

St. Thomas Aquinas

Year joined parish

2005

Interest/Hobbies

Reading, Gardening-Yard Work

Parish Activities/Ministry involvement

Sponsor couple for engaged couples. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  Sacristans.  Lector.  Haiti Healthcare Team Ministry– Team member and Leader for student nurse experiences from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing

Devotion to particular saint and why

St. Francis of Assist – As a child into my early adulthood the Franciscans were instrumental in my education and faith journey.  I believe it is because of this and the values that St. Francis espoused in his Gospel lifestyle, such as caring, compassion, service and stewardship of talents and the environment, that have led me in my life decisions.

Comments regarding the call to the diaconate

The permanent diaconate is an opportunity to be a servant in the ministry of Charity, I have throughout my life attempted to listen to the call of God to serve.  Be that in my marriage to Judi and my family, or in my career choices.  I look at the permanent diaconate as an extension of the service ministry I have been already called to in my Baptism, but this call is to move out of my comfort zone and extend myself to grow in relationship with God and His people.

Date of Birth

November 27, 1950

Spouse’s Name

Josefina

Year Married

1973

Number of children

4 children and 6 grandchildren

Employment

Alcoa

Parish

St. Boniface, Lafayette, IN

Year joined parish

1977

Interest/Hobbies

baseball and softball

Parish Activities/Ministry involvement

reaching out to the Hispanic community.Baptism class, marriage pre. Parents w/ children preparing for first communion, lector and Eucharistic minister.

Devotion to particular saint and why

My devotion is to our lady of Guadalupe.  why because the love she has for us.

Comments regarding the call to the diaconate

I feel the call to the diaconate is for me to take the good news to my brothers and sisters, to bring them to Christ as well as to take Christ to them.

Date of Birth

September 8, 1948

Spouse’s Name

Mary

Year Married

1970

Number of children

4 children, no grandchildren

Employment

Retired from Eli Lilly and Company

Parish

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Carmel

Year joined parish

1981

Interest/Hobbies

Reading; Personal Computing consulting

Parish Activities/Ministry involvement

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion; Lector; Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (sponsor and team member); Cursillo; Christ Renews His Parish; former member of Pastoral Council; member and former officer of Knights of Columbus

Devotion to particular saint and why

St. Athanasius, who was instrumental in the writing of the Nicene Creed and who was steadfast in defending the truth in spite of fierce opposition and exile from the community.

Comments regarding the call to the diaconate

I am excited and humbled to be called by God to serve His people as a Permanent Deacon. I have received so many blessings in my life, and God continues to bless me with this call to the Permanent Diaconate.

Date of Birth

November 3, 1945

Spouse’s Name

Virnette M. VanSchepen

Year Married

1976

Number of children

4 children, 6 grandchildren

Employment

Carpenter for Andree Builders, Inc.

Parish

St. Cecilia, DeMotte, IN

Year joined parish

1985

Interest/Hobbies

My interests are my family and learning more about Faith and the Church. /for many years archery has been hobby of mine it helps me  to relax

Parish Activities/Ministry involvement

In the past we have served as R.C.I.A. coordinators for our Parish, taught in the Religious Education program and still help out some when needed. I am an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, a Lector and an usher.

Devotion to particular saint and why

St. Stephen, one of the first seven Deacons and first martyr. I admire St. Stephen because of his courage and faith he had in Jesus and his teaching, he was willing to give up his life in order to protect his faith. To be able to forgive his executioners for their action while being executed. This shows us all what can be done with a strong and true faith can do.

Comments regarding the call to the diaconate

When the call came for a second Diaconate class to form, I felt God was calling me to step forward and serve Him and the Church in my retirement years. I accepted that call because I felt this would be a small return for the many Blessings that God has given me in my life. The love and help that God has given me have pulled us through some very difficult times in our lives. Such a small token for such a great Gift.