CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis announces the appointment of Deacon Stephen V. Puscas as a permanent deacon for Immaculate Conception Parish in Forest City effective Feb. 11.
From Aurora, Ill., Deacon Stephen and his wife Sue relocated to Nebo to live in a milder climate and to be in an area of the country that they became fond of while on a family reunion. They have three biological children, two adopted children and five grandchildren.
Born March 1, 1952, in Aurora, Ill., he was baptized and confirmed in the Romanian Byzantine Rite on March 23, 1952, and grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. This provided a strong foundation for his becoming a permanent deacon. He was ordained Oct. 18, 2003, for the Diocese of Rockford by Bishop Thomas Doran.
During his almost 16 years of diaconal service, he has given of himself in many ways in terms of his family life and in support of his ministry. Father Kenneth Wasilewski, director of the permanent diaconate for the Rockford diocese, said Deacon Stephen has served in both a parish and school setting. He is an accomplished teacher and has a master’s degree in theology.
At Saint Mary Parish in Rockford, he and his wife were involved in juvenile cancer research, prison ministry, and support for unwed and incarcerated mothers. He also was a spiritual advisor for the parish youth group and a member of the parish’s ecumenical council.
— Deacon John Martino