BELMONT — On May 25, Sisters of Mercy Mary Julia Godwin, Jeanne Margaret McNally and Mary Agnes Solari celebrated a major milestone in their vocation to Christ and His Church: their platinum jubilee. They marked 70 years of religious life, which spans more than a third of the history of their order founded in 1831 by Venerable Catherine McAuley.
Since entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1949, they have contributed in a myriad of ways to their community, making an impact on so many lives through their work – in orphanages, hospitals and schools, with marriage counseling, to people with special needs, in college and high school administration.
Each Sister has given her life to helping others to the best of her ability, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Their lives are a testimony to the power of Christ’s love demonstrated through His Church and through the particular charism of the Sisters of Mercy.
Sister Mary Julia Godwin
Aside from her recent Jubilee, Sister Mary Julia Godwin is proud of another facet of her life: her family was among the first Catholic families in eastern North Carolina. “In 1863, John Monck, my-great-grandfather from Newton Grove, became Catholic and I am descended from that family. He was received into the Catholic Church and all of his family did afterwards,” she describes.
Although John Monck didn’t know it, that decision would have a lasting impact on the life of his descendant. Sister Julia arrived in Belmont on July 15, 1949, after becoming better acquainted with the Sisters of Mercy through a chance encounter.
She recalls, “After high school, I was at Mercy Hospital for two years studying nursing. One day while at the hospital, I met a lovely Sister named Carmelita Barrett. She was my mentor, really. She was always teasing me, telling me, ‘You’d make a wonderful nun!’ I had thought about it, but not given it any serious consideration. One day she had left her habit off, and I tried it on. She came back and caught me with it on, which pleased her to no end.” It wasn’t long before the young nursing student professed her vows as a Sister of Mercy.
Her ministries have included education, Catholic orphanages in Raleigh, and specializing in working with those with special needs, such as the residents of Holy Angels, where she served for 16 years. She has taught locally at St. Gabriel and St. Patrick schools in Charlotte, St. Michael School in Gastonia, St. Leo School in Winston-Salem, Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, and St. Eugene School in Asheville. She also went a bit farther away, teaching at St. Agnes School in Greenport, Long Island, N.Y. But it was her service at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh that has meant the most to her.
“Because I was very young, my work at the orphanage really shaped me,” she says. “I fell in love with that kind of work. There was a lot of learning, but I loved it and it really shaped me for working at Holy Angels in Belmont.”
Now aged 91, Sister Mary Julia says the key to a long life, apart from “eating well and getting enough sleep,” is happiness.
“For one thing, I never worried about getting old. That never bothered me! I didn’t let little things bother me, either. The last 70 years have all been so happy, and I know that God has intervened to keep me busy and interested in what I was doing. I have put my life into my work and never thought about going off and doing something else. I was always committed.”
Sister Jeanne-Margaret McNally
Sister Jeanne-Margaret McNally is a native of New York and a canon lawyer who also holds a doctorate in psychology from The Catholic University. Her calling came when she read about the Sisters of Mercy and the rich missionary opportunities in North Carolina.
“What drew me to the Sisters of Mercy was the missions they were doing, because less than one-tenth of one percent of people were Catholic in North Carolina at that time,” she recalls. Nursing was also in Sister Jeanne-Margaret’s background, and she remained busy with nursing and administrative work. She served as director of the school of nursing at Mercy Hospital for 18 years and worked as a college administrator at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has also served as a tribunal judge for the Diocese of Charlotte and the Archdiocese of Miami, besides serving as president of the Sisters of Mercy and on the Board of Trustees for Belmont Abbey College. Additionally, she taught at Barry University in Miami and Sacred Heart College in Belmont.
Each role she has taken on throughout her 70 years of ministry has affected and shaped her in a different way, she says.
“Nursing was very significant, but probably the administration as well, because I just seemed to flow naturally into it. They all shape you in some manner, because it changes your thinking. Between nursing and psychology and law, I’m always getting a better understanding of people all the time. That’s my job! There wasn’t anything I would have changed, and not many people can say that. That was a constant blessing.”
What has been the secret to her happiness?
“Every experience can be a blessing if you allow it to be; if you’re open for it,” Sister Jeanne-Margaret says. “The blessing was that I began thinking more rationally – your whole cognitive development changes with your experiences, but you have to be open to it.” And above all, renewing her commitment to God on a daily basis has been a critical aspect of her 70 years of service as a Sister of Mercy.
“I made a commitment to renewing my vows every single day. Even in marriage, you have to constantly renew that commitment, because psychologically your whole personality changes as the years go by. Everything is always going to change, every day. You have to constantly renew that commitment within the circumference of who you are and what you are right in the moment.” she says.
Looking back over 70 years of vocational service can be both delightful and awe-inspiring, both for the Sisters themselves and for those who serve with them and encounter them in ministry. Sister Jeanne-Margaret adds that it can also be bittersweet.
“There were 12 of us and we were known as the ’49ers. However, when we celebrated recently, we were the only ones left still living.”
“The rest,” adds Sister Mary Julia, “now belong to the Lord.”
Sister Mary Agnes Solari
One of their fellow ’49ers was able to celebrate her 70th jubilee before quietly passing away June 11, surrounded by her fellow Sisters and family.
Sister Mary Agnes Solari’s name is a familiar one, as her cousins are Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari at Belmont Abbey Monastery and Father Jim Solari, chaplain of Maryfield in High Point.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Belmont Abbey and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from UNC-Chapel Hill. She had a long career in teaching and school administration. Her work included teaching at St. Patrick School in Charlotte, Charlotte Catholic High School, St. Mary School in Wilmington, St. Eugene School in Asheville, and Evelyn Mack Day School in Charlotte. She also served as principal of St. Patrick’s and St. Eugene’s. In addition, she served on the faculty and in Catholic campus ministry at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.
Although she has departed this life, her legacy will be remembered by the Sisters of Mercy and all those touched by her ministry over the years, especially reflecting on her motto in religious life: “What is This to Eternity?” She explained it as: “In bad times – with help, we can get through it – don’t give up. In good times – don’t get too caught up that you lose sight of what’s important.”
— Emily Williams, correspondent
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his year we celebrate the jubilee anniversaries of 34 permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte. In these deacons, we see men who have come from different family, social and work backgrounds. Their individual stories are different, but their call to serve God is represented in the oneness of the diaconate.
It is in this diversity that they bring their backgrounds, and many diverse gifts and talents to the One God, the One Church, and the One Faith they love. The Holy Spirit has led these 34 deacons throughout their lives and continues to guide them today in serving God and those He calls them to serve.
In knowing these deacons, I am sure they would tell you it is the ministry of Jesus, not their ministry, that we celebrate in recognizing their jubilees. Through prayer each day, they are thankful for God’s presence in their lives, within their families, and in their call to serve the Church.
It is with that sense of humility that we thank God for these deacons, their wives and families. We thank them for the many hours of service they give to our parishes and ministries throughout the diocese and where the Holy Spirit leads them. Today, we celebrate the ministry of 34 deacons, but even more importantly, we celebrate the ministry of Jesus in these deacons who bring Jesus to those they serve in their ministry of the Word, the Altar and Charity.
Deacon John Martino serves as director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Program.
45 YEARS
Deacon Michael Dennis Leahy, 79, and his wife Judy live in Put In Bay, Ohio, where they both are active in parish activities. He was ordained for the Diocese of Toledo on June 1, 1974, by Bishop John A. Donovan. During his 45 years of ministry, he has served in the dioceses of Toledo, St. Augustine, Fla., and Charlotte, and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. While in Florida, he was incardinated into the Diocese of St. Augustine on Oct. 4, 1994. Eleven years later, in 2005, Deacon Leahy and his wife Judy moved to North Carolina, serving at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Mars Hill along with Sacred Heart Mission in Burnsville. In 2014, he was assigned to St. Elizabeth in Boone and he retired effective July 8, 2015. Through the years he has been mainly involved in prison ministry and parish administration. Currently he is a seasonal deacon for the diocese, remains active as a deacon and serves as a parish administrator in the Diocese of Toledo where his ministry began 45 years ago.
40 YEARS
Deacon Gordon Lawrence Forester, 96, was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., on June 9, 1979, by Bishop John R. McGann. After his ordination he was assigned to St. Brigid Parish in Westbury, N.Y., where he served for nine years. Upon his arrival in North Carolina in 1988, he was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro and on July 27, 1990, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte. For the past 31 years, he has been a member and served as a permanent deacon at the same parish. In 2008, he retired but maintains active status and extension of all faculties. Through these 40 years he has been involved in efforts such as diocesan charismatic renewal, hospital and bereavement support group ministries. He lives in Greensboro, where many parishioners at his parish continue to benefit from his ministry.
Deacon William Stanley Shaw, 74, and his wife Ann live in Whittier. He was also ordained on June 9, 1979, for the Diocese of Rockville Centre by Bishop McGann. Deacon Shaw’s first assignment was to St. Sylvester Parish in Medford, N.Y., where he was well respected by his parish and committed to service. After relocating to Greensboro in 1990, he was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greensboro and on Sept. 4, 1996, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte. Having served St. Paul for 14 years, he was then assigned to St. Pius X Parish in 2004. Through the years his ministry has focused on adult education, as a mentor in deacon formation, and in being an advocate and assessor for the diocesan tribunal. In moving to the western part of North Carolina in 2017 with his wife Ann, Deacon Shaw was appointed to serve St. Joseph Parish in Bryson City and Our lady of Guadalupe Mission in Cherokee. It is here that he serves alongside his son, Father Peter Shaw. In 2018 with a foundation in his parish efforts, he has taken on a new diocesan responsibility as director of Living Waters Catholic Reflection Center in Maggie Valley. He and his wife Ann are active in parish work and in support of many diocesan ministries and events.
Deacon John Edward Sims, 76, was ordained for the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., on Sept. 28, 1979, by Bishop Frank Harrison at Our Lady of Angels in Endwell, N.Y. Upon ordination Deacon Sims was assigned to the parish of his ordination and became active in youth ministry. During his ministry at Our Lady of the Angels, he was also involved in small group ministries, baptismal and marriage preparation and spiritual renewal. Due to his employment Deacon Sims and his wife Cheryl relocated to the Charlotte area. In 1995 he and Cheryl took up residence in Mooresville, where Deacon Sims was assigned to St. Therese Parish. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte on March 19, 1999. While at St. Therese Parish, his diaconal duties have entailed leading the RCIA program, participating in liturgical functions, teaching the faith and serving many hours in pastoral care. On Jan. 15, 2018, he was granted retirement while maintaining all faculties. Currently in his 40th year of diaconal service, Deacon Sims and his wife Cheryl remain active in parish activities in many ways.
30 YEARS
Deacon Thomas Jerome Kak, 85, lives in High Point. Deacon Kak was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 11, 1989, by Bishop John F. Donoghue and assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point, where he served for 19 years. He was granted retirement on June 1, 2008, and is no longer active in ministry.
Deacon Ronald Timothy Ritchey, 73, and his wife Rory Ann live in Walkertown. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Denver by then Archbishop J. Francis Stafford on June 24, 1989. Upon ordination, he was assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Thornton, Colo., where his ministry focused on a ministry of charity to the incarcerated. In addition to Holy Cross Parish, he was also assigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denver. After moving to North Carolina, Deacon Ritchey was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte in 2007 and was assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Kernersville, where he continues to serve the parish in the ministries of word, altar and charity. He and Rory Ann remain active in parish activities and at the diocesan level are involved in diaconate events.
Deacon Ramon Eiberto Tejada, 66, and his wife Ana live in Winston-Salem. On Jan. 21, 1989, he was ordained for the Diocese of Santiago, Dominican Republic, by Bishop Roque Antonio Adames Rodriguez. He served in the Diocese of Santiago for 11 years before moving to the United States in 2000, where he is now a permanent U.S. resident. After coming to the U.S., he first served in the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish. In 2013, he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to Our Lady of Mercy Parish, where he currently serves. His primary diaconal ministry is to the Spanish-speaking community, for whom he conducts baptismal preparation, performs baptisms, does charismatic retreats, and responds to other parish needs. Deacon Tejada participates in diaconate retreats and shows a willingness to serve where called.
25 YEARS
Deacon James Philip Cooper, 62, and his wife Katheryn live in Greensboro. Deacon Cooper was ordained for the Archdiocese of Washington on Sept. 17, 1994, by then Archbishop James A. Hickey, Archbishop of Washington. His first assignment after ordination was to Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, Md., where he served for eight years and was responsible for baptismal preparation, helped prepare couples for marriage, worked with the parish youth ministry efforts, and more. Upon their arrival in North Carolina in 2002, Deacon Cooper was assigned to St. Pius X Parish, where he continues to serve. His diaconal approach is very welcoming and because of this he works with couples preparing for marriage, adults in RCIA, and families as part of preparation for baptism. At the diocesan level he actively participates in liturgical and educational events and actively supports and is involved in the formation of deacon candidates.
Deacon Richard McCarron, 73, and his wife Susan live in Davidson. He was ordained on May 21, 1994, for the Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., at St. Francis Cathedral by Bishop Edward T. Hughes. After ordination Deacon McCarron was assigned to his home parish, St. Augustine of Canterbury in Kendall Park, N.J. He served there 19 years in various roles including chaplain to the Outreach Ministry, consultant to the Pastoral Board, and along with his wife directed the pre-Cana ministry. Deacon McCarron also served as director of Pastoral Life and Campus Ministry and was a teacher at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen for nine years. After moving to North Carolina, he was assigned to St. Mark Parish in Huntersville in 2013. With his generous and caring spirit and with a certification in bereavement ministry, he has established and continues to maintain the bereavement program at the parish. Over these past six years, his ministry has benefited many St. Mark parishioners. Along with his wife Susan, they are active in many parish and diocesan events.
20 YEARS
Deacon William G. Griffin, 76, and his wife Lillian live in Waxhaw. He was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on May 22, 1999, by Bishop McGann and assigned after ordination to St. Kilian Parish in Farmingdale, N.Y., where his hard work was often recognized by those he served. After moving to North Carolina, they became members of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte. In 2009 Deacon Griffin received faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to his home parish. For the past 10 years he has continued his hard work as a deacon in the varied ministries of the parish, in which he visits homeless shelters, hospitals, and shut-ins, conducts baptismal preparation, performs baptisms, and serves at funerals. On Jan. 16, 2018, Deacon Griffin was granted retirement while maintaining faculties and continuing to serve and participate in parish, diaconate and diocesan events, rites and activities.
Deacon Richard G. Voegele, 78, and his wife Regina live in Hendersonville. Deacon Voegele was also ordained on May 22, 1999, for the Diocese of Rockville Centre by Bishop McGann and his first assignment was at St. Rosalie Parish in Hampton Bays, N.Y., where he served for 18 years. He was also granted faculties for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla., in 2004 and served as a seasonal deacon for St. Sebastian Parish. Upon moving to Arden, he was granted faculties and assigned to St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville in 2007. He served there until he moved to Hendersonville, where he was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish. In 2015, he was granted retirement while maintaining all faculties. Currently in his 20th year of diaconal service, Deacon Voegele serves and participates in many parish activities.
Deacon Bernardino (Wilson) Velez, 76, and his wife Maritza live in Landis. He was ordained on Nov. 27, 1999, for the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., by Bishop James C. Timlin at St. Peter Cathedral. After ordination he was assigned to St. Gabriel Parish in Hazleton, Pa., where he served from 1999 to 2014, and then from 2014 to 2017 he served at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, also in Hazleton. In both parishes he carried out a vibrant apostolate to the Latino community. In 2017 he and his wife Maritza moved to Landis to enjoy the milder climate. He was granted faculties in the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Kannapolis. In March 2018 he retired, but he continues to participate in liturgical functions and ministerial activities. At the parish he serves the English and Hispanic communities with his main focus being on the Hispanic community.
15 YEARS
Deacon Daniel J. Hoffert, 66, and his wife Linda live in Alexander. He was ordained for the Diocese of Raleigh on Nov. 12, 2004, by Bishop Joseph Gossman at his home parish, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Apex. He served there for nine years and then in 2013 he was assigned to St. Matthew Parish in Durham, where he also served as director of the Avila Retreat Center. Under his leadership the retreat center showed continued growth and his dedicated service as a deacon in the Raleigh diocese was noted by Monsignor David Brockman, vicar general. Later, he and his wife moved to the Diocese of Charlotte and in 2016 he was assigned to St. Margaret Mary Parish in Swannanoa. He actively serves as deacon, and with his wife Linda he participates in many parish activities, diaconate liturgies and educational events.
Deacon Webster A. James, 69, and his wife Celia live in Denver. Deacon James was also ordained on Nov. 12, 2004, for the Diocese of Raleigh at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish by Bishop Gossman. After ordination Deacon James was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Goldsboro. His first assignment was as Catholic chaplain at Wayne Memorial Hospital and at a hospice center in eastern North Carolina. At St. Mary Parish he also served as director of faith formation. He served the Goldsboro parish for 12 years, and then he and his wife Celia decided to move to the Diocese of Charlotte to be closer to their family. In 2016, Deacon James was granted faculties to serve the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Denver. He and his wife Celia participate in the many activities of the parish and are active in deacon formation, and diocesan events and activities.
Deacon Robert E. Morris, 74, and his wife Regina live in Greensboro. He was ordained for the Diocese of Bridgeport by then Bishop William E. Lori on June 12, 2004. After his ordination he was assigned to St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Ridgefield, Conn., where he served for seven years. After moving to North Carolina, he and his wife Regina became members of St. Pius X Parish, where he was involved with the parish bereavement group and where he and his wife were teachers in parish faith formation. On Nov. 30, 2011, he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to St. Pius X. During his time of ministry his visits to the sick have shown his pastoral caring and compassion. As noted by many, his ministry to the sick is a blessing to the parish where he continues to serve and remain active with his wife.
Deacon James H. Toner, 73, and his wife Rebecca live in Stokesdale. Deacon Toner was ordained at the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel on May 8, 2004, by Bishop Michael J. Sheridan for the Diocese of Colorado Springs. After ordination he served for about six weeks at the chapel of his ordination, and then went on to be granted faculties for the Archdiocese of Military Services. He then served in Alabama, assigned to the Maxell Air Force Base Chapel in Montgomery. After 4 years he and his wife Rebecca returned to home in Connecticut. In 2008 Deacon Toner was granted faculties for the Archdiocese of Hartford and assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Wethersfield, Conn. In 2008 he was also granted approval to teach at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell within the Diocese of Norwich. In 2010 to be closer to family, Deacon Toner and his wife Rebecca moved to North Carolina, where he was granted faculties and assigned to Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro. He is a noted professor, teacher and writer in the areas of ethics and Church doctrine. He has taught many future priests and deacons, and most recently for the Diocese of Charlotte has taught for the lay ministry and deacon formation programs. On May 21, 2014, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte and on March 5, 2019, Deacon Toner was granted retirement while retaining his faculties in ministry.
Deacon James H. Witulski, 67, and his wife Mary live in Monroe. Deacon Witulski was ordained for the Diocese of Rochester on May 22, 2004, by Bishop Matthew H. Clark. His first diaconal assignment was to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Rochester, where he was pastoral minister/religious education coordinator. After serving the parish for more than six years, he and his wife Mary decided to move to Monroe to be closer to their family. On March 1, 2011, Deacon Witulski was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte. In addition to his parish responsibilities, in 2014 he was appointed the liaison for Catholic Jail Ministry for Mecklenburg County. In this role he has developed a seasoned group of volunteers and personally ministered to those in need. Deacon Witulski was incardinated into the Diocese of Charlotte on March 10, 2015. For over eight years now, Deacon Witulski and his wife Mary have coordinated and participated in parish activities at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, where he continues to serve as deacon.
10 YEARS
Deacon Joseph C. Denzler, 73, and his wife Erlinda live in Monroe. He was ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn on May 23, 2009, by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. After ordination, Deacon Denzler was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Queens Village, N.Y., where he was moderator of the parish lectors and participated in the parish outreach program. In late 2012 Deacon Denzler and his wife moved to North Carolina, and on May 16, 2013, he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned as deacon to St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte. Deacon Denzler and his wife Erlinda remain active in the events and activities of the parish where he serves, as well as with diocesan events and activities.
5 YEARS
The following deacons were ordained by Bishop Peter J. Jugis on May 31, 2014, for the Diocese of Charlotte:
Deacon Guillermo J. Anzola, 68. His first assignment after being ordained was to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe. At the parish his diaconal responsibilities focus on both liturgy and charity. He prepares couples for marriage, witnesses weddings and performs baptisms. He leads the RCIA efforts for the Spanish-speaking community and is active as an advocate for the diocesan tribunal. Deacon Anzola participates in parish ministries including visiting homeless shelters, hospitals and nursing homes. His Hispanic ministry has extended into involvement into the Cursillo movement. Deacon Anzola currently serves as spiritual advisor of the Spanish Cursillo for the Diocese of Charlotte. He and his wife Nora live in Charlotte, are active in their parish, and participate in diaconate and diocesan events.
Deacon James E. Bozik, 62. A resident of Pineville, Deacon Bozik was assigned to St. Peter Parish in downtown Charlotte after ordination. His service was a welcome addition to the parish, and he has become very active in serving the parish community in many ways. Besides serving at Mass, he is involved in airport ministry, makes hospital, nursing home and shut-in visitations, serves as a spiritual guide, is an advocate for the diocesan tribunal, serves as a spiritual director at men’s retreats, leads RCIA sessions, and helps in sacramental preparation. At the diocesan level Deacon Bozik serves on the diocesan Association of Deacons board, and is active in participating in diocesan liturgies and events.
Deacon Sigfrido A. Della Valle, 56. His first assignment was to Immaculate Conception Parish in Forest City, his home parish, where he served both the English and Spanish communities. After three years there, Deacon Della Valle was assigned to St. Joan of Arc Parish in Candler, where he remains involved in its varied ministries especially to the ever-growing Hispanic parish population. Deacon Della Valle has also become involved in the diocesan Hispanic Emmaus Ministry, and in 2018 he was assigned to Hispanic ministry to work with Father Julio Dominguez in the western part of the diocese to serve as spiritual director for Emmaus retreats. Deacon Della Valle and his wife Sonia live in Lake Lure.
Deacon Joseph A. Diaz, 65. He and his wife Carol live in Charlotte. Upon his ordination, Deacon Diaz was assigned to his home parish, St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte, where he has been involved in many aspects of homeless, homebound and nursing home ministries. His outreach ministry is extensive as he also serves as coordinator for the parish’s “Room in the Inn” ministry. Deacon Diaz is also responsible for the training and scheduling of liturgical ministers at the parish. In 2017 he was appointed regional coordinator of the permanent deacons in the Charlotte region. In this role he and Carol are active in diaconate formation initiatives and events. At the diocesan level, Deacon Diaz has also served as spiritual director for a Cursillo Weekend.
Deacon Michael F. Goad, 58. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish, St. Gabriel in Charlotte. He and his wife Lisa live in Matthews and are very active in the many activities of the parish where he seeks to be of service in any area of need. Deacon Goad has embraced his role as deacon, serving over the past five years in roles such as sacristan, altar server trainer, clerical liaison to faith formation at St. Gabriel School, and faith formation and RCIA teacher. He also conducts baptismal preparation classes and performs baptisms, and is employed by the parish. At the diocesan level, Deacon Goad has served on the diocesan Association of Deacons board.
Deacon John A. Harrison, 61. His assignment after ordination was to his home parish of Holy Family in Clemmons, where he and his wife Anne live. Deacon Harrison is involved in performing baptisms, witnessing weddings, conducting funeral services, and benediction as well as preparing people for reception of the sacraments. He currently leads the parish’s faith formation program and is confirmation team leader. In outreach ministries he participates in visitations to hospitals, nursing homes and the homebound. At the diocesan level, Deacon Harrison serves on the diocesan Association of Deacons board, and is active in participating in deacon formation and diaconal events.
Deacon Thomas E. McGahey, 65. He and his wife Nancy live in Cornelius. Upon ordination, he was assigned to St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, where he and his wife Nancy are active parishioners. In serving at the altar, Deacon McGahey serves at Mass and for benedictions as well as performs baptisms, and leads novenas to Mary. Always willing to use his carpentry skills at the parish, he made a needed platform for the altar. In service to others, Deacon McGahey helps in RCIA ministry, in visitations to hospitals and nursing homes, and in leading the homebound Eucharistic ministry. At the diocesan level, Deacon McGahey has served on the diocesan Association of Deacons board and helped with the most recent permanent deacon ordination.
Deacon Marcos Mejias, 63. He and his wife Yvonne live in Winston-Salem. After ordination, Deacon Mejias was assigned to Holy Family Parish, his home parish. In serving the parish he was involved in the Hispanic RCIA program and served at the altar in performing baptisms, witnessing weddings, leading benedictions, and presiding at funerals. After two years, in 2016 he received a new assignment to Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro, where he now is involved in sacramental preparation and assists in the Latin Mass. Deacon Mejias currently works for the parish school and is active as the deacon for the Diocesan Youth Conference. In 2016 Deacon Mejias was appointed regional coordinator for the Permanent Diaconate of the Triad region. In this role, he and his wife Yvonne serve their local deacon family, are active in the diaconate formation program, and participate in many diocesan liturgies and events. Deacon Mejias also helps in fostering involvement of the Hispanic community.
Deacon Thomas D. Sanctis, 64. After ordination, he was assigned to St. Ann Parish in Charlotte, where his service involves many aspects of the liturgy including baptisms, weddings, Communion services, benedictions, and funerals. In addition, his ministries of charity involve visits to those in need and spiritual guidance upon request. In the area of formation, he is involved in the parish’s RCIA program and in the area of family life. Deacon Sanctis has made presentations and has been a speaker on the topics of “marriage communication” and “living a life of balance.” He and his wife Teresa live in Charlotte and are active in the life of their parish, as well as the diaconate formation program.
Deacon C. William Schreiber, 59. He and his wife Brenda live in Hickory, where after ordination, he was assigned to St. Aloysius Parish. Deacon Schreiber and his wife Brenda are active members of the parish, where he actively serves in sacramental preparation ministries, baptisms, marriages, funerals and benediction. He also serves as a local hospital chaplain, and makes hospital, nursing home and homebound visits. Deacon Schreiber is involved in youth ministry and is a member of the parish core team for Life Teen. In addition he has been an EDGE presenter and participated in the annual Diocesan Youth Conference. In this role he was presented with the 2019 St. Pope John Paul II diocesan award for his involvement with youth. In 2016 he was appointed regional coordinator for permanent deacons in the Hickory region.
Deacon Gary J. Schrieber, 57. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish of St. Matthew, where he serves as chaplain to the Boy Scouts, is involved with the altar server ministry, and serves at the Divine Mercy Holy Hour. In addition he teaches classes for RCIA ministry, and makes shut-in and hospital visits. At the diocesan level he was involved in presenting during the deacon aspirancy program, is involved in deacon formation efforts and attends many deacon and diocesan-wide programs and liturgies. He and his wife Marilyn live in Matthews.
Deacon Miguel P. Sebastian, 47. He was assigned to his home parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, after being ordained. As his pastor says, he is a valuable resource to the Spanish-speaking community and the entire parish. His willingness to serve is evident from his participation in the RCIA, soup kitchen, and hospital visit ministries. Deacon Sebastian spends much time in providing family and individual spiritual guidance to the Spanish-speaking community. He and his wife Ana live in Morganton, where both are active in parish activities as he serves the Spanish- and English-speaking communities. Deacon Sebastian and his wife also encourage Hispanic permanent diaconate formation candidates and their wives.
Deacon Jack G. Staub, 62. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish, St. Matthew, where he is very active in the formation needs of its members. Deacon Staub serves as the assistant coordinator of RCIA, and is involved in young adult ministry, Bible studies, the Divine Mercy Holy Hour devotion, Gospel reflections for the parish bulletin, and spiritual guidance to parishioners. In outreach ministry, he visits the homeless shelter and serves at the local soup kitchen. At the diocesan level he participates in deacon functions and permanent deacon formation initiatives, and attends diocesan events and liturgies. Deacon Staub and his wife Susan live in Charlotte.
Deacon Ruben Tamayo, 64. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish, St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte. Deacon Tamayo is on the staff and serves in liturgical, formation and outreach ministries at the parish level and is always available to help the pastor and parishioners. As stated by his pastor, he has an authentic care for both the people and truths of Christ which manifest in all that he does. At the diocesan level, both he and his wife Aida have made presentations and teach deacon candidates and their wives within the deacon formation program and are always ready to help where needed. They live in Charlotte.
Deacon James P. Trombley, 67. After ordination, he was assigned to his home parish of St. Mary Help of Christians in Shelby, where he and his wife Carole are very active. He performs baptisms, serves at funerals, reaches out to parishioners through hospital, nursing home and shut-in visitations and works in the local soup kitchen. In addition he also serves in prison ministry at the Marion facility. At the diocesan level,
Deacon Trombley is part of the team that serves in ministry at the Charlotte-Douglas Airport each week and is an advocate for the diocesan tribunal. Both Carole and Deacon Trombley are active in diaconal formation efforts and other diaconal and diocesan events and liturgies.
Deacon Emmanuel O. Ukattah Sr., 68. After ordination he was assigned to St. Mary, his home parish, in Greensboro. There he is involved in the various needs of the multicultural parish as called upon by his pastor. He has become involved in conducting baptismal preparation and in performing baptisms, as well as performing hospital visits. Deacon Ukattah and his wife Martina live in Greensboro.
— Deacon John Martino, special to the Catholic News Herald