Archbishop encourages deacon jubilarians to thank God for graces in their ministry — even the ones they don’t know about
DETROIT — Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron joined 44 permanent deacons celebrating jubilees for years of service as deacons in the Archdiocese of Detroit on Oct. 30 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
“It is a blessing that each of you who celebrates a jubilee permits all of us, on behalf of the whole community, to be one with you in giving thanks,” Archbishop Vigneron said during his homily. “We give God thanks that you are agents of his kingdom, the kingdom of the Son of Man.”
This year's celebration honored 45 deacons celebrating a combined 840 years of service. This year's list (below) includes Deacon Jerome Campernel, who died Aug. 8 but would have been celebrating his 15th jubilee.
Archbishop Vigneron noted in particular the service of Deacon Robert Delbeke, who is the first deacon to celebrate a 50th jubilee in the Archdiocese of Detroit. The archbishop stressed how the role of a permanent deacon in the Church is to go out and serve the people of God in order to save their souls through Christ.
“You, I, all of us in holy orders, are ordained to make present in our person the aspiration Jesus speaks about in the Gospel tonight (Luke 19:1-10),” Archbishop Vigneron said. “He came to seek and save what was lost. That is what the graces I have called to mind have been about: ways to seek the lost. It is for this you have been consecrated, for this you have been called.”
The archbishop asked the deacons to think of the times in their ministry when God's grace was visibly present in the community, especially times when such grace was evident only to the deacons and to God.
“Think about something for which you give God thanks that even you are not aware of,” Archbishop Vigneron said, “some effort you may have made, something that you have taken and you may have wondered if it even produced any fruit. It may seem sterile and fruitless, but that is something to give God thanks and praise for tonight.”
Deacon Glenn Melenyk, a senior deacon who served at St. James Parish in Novi for 12 years, was celebrating his 15-year jubilee. Deacon Melenyk told Detroit Catholic it was the people he met over the years, particularly when visiting hospitals and nursing homes, that particularly impacted him.
“My favorite part of being a deacon is being tired at the end of the day because you gave it your all,” Deacon Melenyk said. “You felt you were giving Christ to others. By being close to the people, it felt as I was being closer to Christ, to seeing Jesus and being part of our whole fabric of society.”
Echoing Archbishop Vigneron's homily, Deacon Melenyk said being a deacon isn't about being an “ecclesiastical civil servant,” but one who goes out to the people and preaches God’s mercy.
“Being a deacon means being a face in the community,” Deacon Melenyk said. “The priests are over there, the celebrants and ministers of the sacraments, but the deacons help bridge that gap. They see the face of Christ, bringing (the faithful) closer to the mystery of the priesthood when they see us out in the community.”
After the homily, Archbishop Vigneron invited the deacons to renew their commitment to their ordination promises, also inviting a commitment from the deacons’ wives to renew their resolve to support their husbands in their vocation.
“Tonight, let us be very tempted to give God thanks for the things I’ve spoken about and call to our minds whatever else the Holy Spirit aspires to give thanks to,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “In this way, all of us share, as it were, an echo of the thanksgiving of the jubilarians. But even more profoundly, we echo a sharing of thanksgiving that God the Son, Jesus, the Incarnate Word, gives praise to the Father, gives thanks to the Father for your ministry.”
This year's deacon jubilarians
50 years
Deacon Robert Delbeke, 85, began his ministry beside his wife, Carol, when he was ordained Jan. 21, 1973. He has served at St. Rita Parish in Holly, St. Aidan Parish in Livonia, and St. Edith Parish in Livonia. He is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit and is the first deacon in the history of the archdiocese to celebrate a 50th jubilee.
45 years
Deacon James Gennette, 83, began his ministry beside his wife, Joanne, when he was ordained May 7, 1977. He has served at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Grotto) Parish in Detroit, and SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Sterling Heights. He is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
40 years
Deacon Ronald Channell, 88, began his ministry beside his wife, Nancy, when he was ordained June 12, 1982. He has served at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in St. Clair Shores and is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon Wilhelm Kessler, 82, began his ministry beside his wife, Nancy, when he was ordained June 12, 1982. He has served at St. Louise de Marillac Parish in Warren and is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon Paul Pelchat, 84, began his ministry beside his wife, Joanne, when he was ordained June 12, 1982. He has served at Divine Savior Parish in Westland and is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
35 years
Deacon Robert DeWitt, 77, began his ministry beside his late wife, Mary, when he was ordained Oct. 17, 1987. He has served at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Dearborn Heights and is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
30 years
Deacon William Thome, 90, began his ministry as a permanent deacon when he was ordained Oct. 7, 1992. He has served at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish in Taylor, and Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Taylor, where he continues to serve as a member of the Downriver 1 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Valere Buyle, 81, began his ministry beside his wife, Joan, when he was ordained Oct. 17, 1992. He has served at St. Edmund Parish in Warren, St. Jude Parish in Detroit, St. Hubert Parish in Harrison Township, and St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in St. Clair Shores. He is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon John Connors, 83, began his ministry beside his wife, Carolyn, when he was ordained Oct. 17, 1992. He has served at St. Joseph, St. Stephen and Holy Trinity parishes in Port Huron, and is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon William Jamieson, 74, began his ministry beside his wife, Rosanne, when he was ordained Oct. 17, 1992. He has served at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Grosse Pointe Woods, and St. Paul on the Lake Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms, where he continues to minister.
Deacon Richard Shubik, 73, began his ministry beside his late wife, Diana, when he was ordained Oct. 17, 1992. He has served at St. Paul on the Lake Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms and St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, where he continues to serve as a member of the SERF 3 Family of Parishes.
25 years
Deacon Dennis DeVooght began his ministry when he was ordained May 17, 1997, in the Diocese of Peoria, Ill., beside his wife, Raedene. He arrived in the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2015 and has served at St. Kenneth Parish in Plymouth, where he continues to serve as a member of the Northwest Wayne 2 Family of Parishes.
20 years
Deacon Ken Trabbic, 70, began his ministry beside his wife, Sharon, when he was ordained Oct. 4, 2002. He has served at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Wyandotte, St. Stephen Parish in New Boston, and St. Joseph Parish in Monroe, where he continues to serve as a member of the Monroe 3 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Kenneth Fry, 66, began his ministry beside his wife, Anne-Marie, when he was ordained Oct. 5, 2002. He has served at Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson, Our Lady of Victory Parish in Northville, Ste. Anne de Detroit Parish in Detroit, and Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit, where he continues to serve as a member of the Southwest 1 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Steven Mitchell, 68, began his ministry beside his wife, Jean, when he was ordained Oct. 5, 2002. He has served at Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills, St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Lake Orion, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth, and Sacred Heart Parish in Grosse Ile, where he continues to serve as a member of the Downriver 3 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Michael O'Brien, 65, began his ministry beside his late wife, Lisa, when he was ordained Oct. 5, 2002. He has served at St. Fabian Parish in Farmington Hills and the Retreat Center at St. John's in Plymouth.
Deacon Robert Schwartz, 85, began his ministry beside his wife, Barbara, when he was ordained Oct. 5, 2002. He has served at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Sterling Heights, and Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson. He is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
15 years
Deacon Thomas Avery, 62, began his ministry beside his wife, Barbara, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, St. Mary Parish in Royal Oak, and St. Louise de Marillac Parish in Warren, where he continues to serve as a member of the Central Macomb 3 Family of Parishes.
Deacon John Burke, 77, began his ministry beside his wife, Starr, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish in Westland, St. Mary, Cause of Our Joy Parish in Westland, and St. Anthony Parish in Belleville, where he continues to serve as a member of the Northwest Wayne 2 Family of Parishes.
The late Deacon Jerome Campernel, who died Aug. 8, 2022, at the age of 79, would have been celebrating his 15th jubilee as a deacon this year. He was ordained Oct. 6, 2007, and served with his wife, Judith, by his side at St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby Township and St. Therese of Lisieux in Shelby Township.
Deacon George Cousino, 79, began his ministry alongside his wife, Judith, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. Patrick Parish in Carleton, St. Joseph Parish in Maybee, and Divine Grace Parish in Carleton. He is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon C. Robert Dreyer, 85, began his ministry beside his wife, Mary Kay, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. Maurice Parish in Livonia and St. William Parish in Walled Lake. He is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon Robert Gajda, 73, began his ministry beside his late wife, Deborah, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. Mary Parish in Wayne and St. Perpetua Parish in Waterford, where he continues to serve as a member of the Lakes 2 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Franz Hoffer, 68, began his ministry beside his wife, Arlene Kausch-Hoffer, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. Ronald Parish in Clinton Township and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Sterling Heights, where he continues to serve today. He also has served on the staff of Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Deacon Scott LaForest, 51, began his ministry beside his wife, Juanita, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. Joseph Parish in Dearborn, St. Martha Parish in Dearborn, St. Mary Parish in Rockwood, and St. Alfred Parish in Taylor, where he continues to serve as a member of the Downriver 1 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Glenn Melenyk, 70, began his ministry beside his wife, Sharon, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. James Parish in Novi, and is currently ministering outside the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon Paul Mueller, 80, began his ministry beside his wife, Patricia, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at Corpus Christi Parish in Detroit and is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon Gerald Schiffer, 75, began his ministry beside his wife, Kathleen (Kathy), when he was ordained Oct. 6 2007. He has served at St. Linus Parish in Dearborn Heights and is currently a senior deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon James Thibodeau, 59, began his ministry beside his wife, Jennifer, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at St. Sebastian Parish in Dearborn Heights, Divine Child Parish in Dearborn, and St. Fabian Parish in Farmington Hills.
Deacon John Wright, 72, began his ministry beside his wife, Annette, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2007. He has served at SS. John and Paul Parish in Washington Township, St. Irenaeus Parish in Rochester Hills, and St. Elizabeth Parish in Detroit, where he continues to serve as a member of the Renaissance 2 Family of Parishes.
10 years
Deacon David Carignan, 64, began his ministry beside his wife, Elizabeth, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He has served at Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth.
Deacon Dennis Crimmins, 72, began his ministry beside his wife, Jolanta, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He serves at Holy Trinity Parish in Port Huron as part of the Blue Water 3 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Michael Houghton, 59, began his ministry beside his wife, Anita, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He serves at St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby Township as a member of the North Macomb 3 Family of Parishes. Deacon Houghton also serves as director of missionary strategic planning for the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon Francis King, 72, began his ministry beside his wife, Lucy, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He serves at St. Regis Parish in Bloomfield Hills as a member of the South Oakland 2 Family of Parishes.
Deacon John Manera, 65, began his ministry beside his wife, Laura, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He serves at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Lake Orion as part of the Paint Creek 2 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Timothy Maxwell, 60, began his ministry beside his wife, Martha, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He has served at St. Mary Parish in Port Huron, and St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township, where he continues to serve as part of the Central Macomb 5 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Thomas Mohan, 62, began his ministry beside his wife, Julie Ann, when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He serves at St. Benedict Parish in Waterford as part of the Lakes 3 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Dominick Pastore, 65, began his ministry beside his wife, Teresa (Tomeo), when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He has served at St. Angela Parish in Roseville, St. Isaac Jogues Parish in St. Clair Shores, and St. Joan of Arc Parish in St. Clair Shores, where he continues to serve as a member of the SERF 2 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Martin Selmek, 66, began his ministry as a permanent deacon when he was ordained Oct. 6, 2012. He serves at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Temperance as part of the Monroe 3 Family of Parishes.
5 years
Deacon David Casnovsky, 63, began his ministry beside his wife, Patricia, when he was ordained Oct. 21, 2017. He serves at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak as part of the South Oakland 4 Family of Parishes. Deacon Casnovsky also serves as a missionary strategic planning coach for the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Deacon Tracy Esper, 60, began his ministry beside his wife, Crysti, when he was ordained Oct. 21, 2017. He has served at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Monroe, and Divine Grace Parish in Carleton, where he continues to serve as part of the Monroe 1 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Peter Lynch, 65, began his ministry beside his wife, Kathleen, when he was ordained Oct. 21, 2017. He serves at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in North Branch, St. Mary Burnside Parish in Burnside, and Sacred Heart Mission in Brown City as a member of the Thumb 3 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Rosario Ortisi, 57, began his ministry beside his wife, Trisha, when he was ordained Oct. 21, 2017. He serves at St. Kieran Parish in Shelby Township as part of the North Macomb 1 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Charles Pace, 65, began his ministry beside his wife, Maria Elena, when he was ordained Oct. 21, 2017. He has served at St. Louise de Marillac Parish in Warren, and currently serves at St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby Township as a member of the North Macomb 3 Family of Parishes.
Deacon Lawrence Paczkowski, 61, began his ministry beside his wife, Cynthia, when he was ordained Oct. 21, 2017. He has served at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ira Township and St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish in New Baltimore, where he continues to serve as a member of the Blue Water 2 Family of Parishes.
Copy Permalink
