Men of the Gospel serve as parish leaders, family men and working professionals, giving glory to God in all times and in all seasons

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DETROIT — They serve at weddings, funerals and baptisms. They direct religious education, counsel engaged couples, coordinate Christian service ministries and help with the day-to-day operations of the parish.

And that’s often on top of their day jobs. 

Deacons perform a variety of roles in the local Catholic community, far beyond simply proclaiming the Gospel and assisting at the altar during Mass. Today’s deacons are often husbands, fathers and working professionals on top of their parish ministry.

This year, 27 permanent deacons are celebrating milestone jubilees of their ordination. Usually, they gather for a Mass together with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, but COVID-19 has prevented such celebrations this year.

Nevertheless, Detroit Catholic and the Archdiocese of Detroit honor the following deacons for their many years of selfless, Christ-like service.

45 years

Deacon Joseph J. Daratony

Deacon Daratony, 86, began his ministry beside his wife, Marjorie, when he was ordained Oct. 12, 1975. He served at Resurrection Parish in Canton until 2000, and is currently serving as a deacon in the Melkite Catholic rite.

Deacon John A. Barbera

Deacon Barbera, 80, began his ministry beside his wife, Carolyn, when he was ordained Nov. 15, 1975. He served at St. Claude Parish in Clinton Township, Sacred Heart Parish in Roseville, and St. Louis Parish in Clinton Township. He currently serves as a jail chaplain in Macomb and St. Clair counties.

40 years

Deacon Edward Meyer

Deacon Meyer, 79, began his ministry beside his wife, Sherry, when he was ordained June 14, 1980. He served for many years as a deacon at St. Patrick Parish in White Lake.

Deacon Robert Tremmel

Deacon Tremmel, 80, began his ministry beside his wife, Roberta, when he was ordained June 14, 1980. He has served for many years as a deacon at Sacred Heart Parish in Grosse Ile. He was granted senior status in 2010.

Deacon Donald Junak

Deacon Junak, 81, began his ministry beside his wife, Irene, when he was ordained June 17, 1980. He served for many years as a permanent deacon at St. Louis Parish in Clinton Township before being granted senior status in 2010.

35 years

Deacon Lawrence Healy

Deacon Healy, 75, began his ministry beside his wife, Margaret, when he was ordained June 8, 1985. He served at St. Michael Parish in Sterling Heights before being granted senior status in 2014.

Deacon Michael J. McKale

Deacon McKale, 76, began his ministry beside his wife, Joyce, when he was ordained Oct. 19, 1985. He has served at Holy Name Parish in Birmingham and as director of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s permanent diaconate formation program.

Deacon Thomas Murphy

Deacon Murphy, 86, began his ministry beside his wife, Joyce, when he was ordained Oct. 19, 1985. He served at Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Woodhaven until he was granted senior status in 2019.

Deacon Bob Ovies

Deacon Ovies, 82, began his ministry beside his wife, Kathleen, when he was ordained Oct. 19, 1985. He served at St. Columban Parish in Birmingham, St. Rene Goupil Parish in Sterling Heights, and in family ministry with the Archdiocese of Detroit until he was granted senior status in 2008. Deacon Ovies also is a published author who has written thriller novels.

30 years

Deacon Richard M. Misiak

Deacon Misiak, 69, began his ministry beside his wife, Colleen, when he was ordained Oct. 27, 1990. He has served at St. Edith Parish in Livonia and Our Lady of Victory Parish in Northville, where he remains today.

Deacon Timothy J. Pilon

Deacon Pilon, 73, began his ministry beside his wife, Claudette, when he was ordained Oct. 27, 1990. He served at St. William Parish in Walled Lake, Holy Family Parish in Novi, and St. Genevieve Parish in Livonia. He currently serves in Hispanic ministry.

Deacon George Posavetz

Deacon Posavetz, 89, began his ministry beside his wife, Mildred, when he was ordained Oct. 27, 1990. He served at St. Mark Parish in Warren before being granted senior status in 2018.

20 years

Deacon James Berch

Deacon Berch, 79, began his ministry beside his wife, Carol, when he was ordained Oct. 14, 2000. He has served as a deacon at St. Isaac Jogues Parish in St. Clair Shores.

Deacon Richard Bloomfield

Deacon Bloomfield, 80, began his ministry beside his wife, Deborah, when he was ordained Oct. 14, 2000. He has served at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, later Our Lady of the Scapular Parish, in Wyandotte. He was granted senior status in 2010.

Deacon Robert Bovitz

Deacon Bovitz, 85, began his ministry alongside his wife, Micki, when he was ordained Oct. 14, 2000. He served at St. Joseph Parish in Trenton and St. Pius X Parish in Southgate until he was granted senior status in 2020.

Deacon Stephen Marks

Deacon Marks, 69, began his ministry beside his wife, Marcia, when he was ordained Oct. 14, 2000. He served at St. Kieran Parish in Shelby Township, St. Daniel Parish in Clarkston and Christ the Redeemer Parish in Lake Orion until 2016, when he left the Archdiocese of Detroit to continue ministering in Kentucky.

Deacon Hubert M. Sanders

Deacon Sanders, 68, began his ministry beside his wife, Wanda, when he was ordained Oct. 14, 2000. He served at St. Gerald Parish in Farmington, and later at Presentation-Our Lady of Victory Parish in Detroit, where he remains today.

Deacon Gerald Smigell

Deacon Smigell, 82, began his ministry alongside his wife, Virginia, when he was ordained Oct. 14, 2000. He served at St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township and SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Sterling Heights, where he continues to serve today as a senior deacon.

15 years

Deacon Jene Wesley Baughman

Deacon Baughman, 63, began his ministry alongside his wife, Leonora, when he was ordained Oct. 1, 2005. He served at St. Kenneth Parish in Plymouth, St. Fabian Parish in Farmington, and St. William Parish in Walled Lake before leaving the Archdiocese of Detroit to continue ministry in the Diocese of Saginaw.

Deacon Michael Chesley

Deacon Chesley, 64, was ordained to the permanent diaconate on Oct. 1, 2005. He has served since then at St. Patrick Parish in White Lake and in jail chaplaincy with the St. Vincent de Paul Justice Initiative. 

Deacon Michael Alan Somervell

Deacon Somervell, 75, began his ministry alongside his wife, Nancy, when he was ordained Oct. 1, 2005. He served at St. William Parish in Walled Lake and Holy Spirit Parish in Highland, where he remains today.

10 years

Deacon Kenneth Kwang-Jin Bark

Deacon Bark, 74, began his ministry beside his wife, Kathy, when he was ordained Oct. 2, 2010. He served at St. Andrew Kim Parish in Northville and St. Patrick Parish in White Lake, where he continues to serve today.

Deacon Lenard Andrew Butler

Deacon Butler, 74, began his ministry beside his wife, Judy, when he was ordained Oct. 2, 2010. He has served at St. Angela Parish in Roseville and Our Lady of Hope Parish in St. Clair Shores.

5 years

Deacon David Dominic Drysdale Sr.

Deacon Drysdale, 70, began his ministry beside his wife, Joan, when he was ordained Oct. 3, 2015. He served at St. Joseph Parish in Trenton and St. Mary, Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish in Rockwood, where he continues to serve today.

Deacon John Michael Fitzmaurice

Deacon Fitzmaurice, 59, began his ministry beside his wife, Susan, when he was ordained Oct. 3, 2015. He serves as a deacon at St. Mary Parish in St. Clair, and has served as principal of St. Mary School in St. Clair and St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy in Port Huron.

Deacon Thomas John Leonard

Deacon Leonard, 67, began his ministry beside his wife, Christine, when he was ordained Oct. 3, 2015. He serves at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Dearborn.

Deacon Phillip Wade McCown

Deacon McCown, 64, began his ministry beside his wife, Janice, when he was ordained Oct. 3, 2015. He has served at St. Mark Parish in Warren and SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Sterling Heights.