DETROIT — Responding to the Lord’s call to the growing permanent diaconate ministry in the Archdiocese of Detroit, five men from very different backgrounds will be ordained this weekend by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron. The ordination Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, when the new deacons will also receive their parish assignments (UPDATE: The new deacons' parish assignments are below). They are:

 

Christian A. Remus

Remus, 67, a retired field technical service manager in the food manufacturing industry, said it was his service with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that “increased my spiritual calling to the diaconate.”

Along with other Vincentians, Remus said he often visits those in need in their homes, praying with them and listening to their needs.

“I appreciate the time I have been able to spend interacting with those who are poor and disadvantaged in the city of Detroit,” said Remus, a Detroit native who attends Christ the King Parish with his wife, Ruth.

Remus said he enjoys studying Scripture and sharing the Gospel through RCIA classes and Vacation Bible Schools, as well as through the liturgy. He also enjoys golf, gardening and being outdoors.

During his parish internship, Remus served at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington. He has two grown children — Kristin, 39, and Timothy, 37.

Deacon Remus will be assigned to Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit.

 

Chris Beltowski

Beltowski, 44, an executive in the printing industry, said he looks forward to being able to support others in his new ministry, especially in those “most personal, intimate events,” such as funerals, weddings, baptisms, annulments, health issues, unemployment and homelessness.

A father of four teenagers — Jackie, 17; Callie, 17; Grace, 16; and Rachel, 13 — Beltowski and his wife, Kelly, live in Bloomfield Hills and attend Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills. He completed a parish internship at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Troy, and enjoys sports, reading and running.

Beltowski said a Theology of the Body presentation by author Christopher West about 10 years ago was a “key moment” in his spiritual growth and discernment, in which “I grew in the theological virtue of love for myself and, more importantly, for others.”

Deacon Beltowski will be assigned to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Beverly Hills.

 

Paul R. Nickels

Nickels, 51, a software engineer from Clarkston, said he felt a “calling to do something more meaningful in my life.”

“I was going through some personal and family crises, but through it all I was drawn closer to Christ and I developed a new realization of how much I need Him in my life,” said the father of three: Zachary, 20; Ross, 18; and Gabriel, 15.

A parishioner of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Waterford with his wife, Susan, Nickels also completed his parish internship there.

He hopes his new ministry will emphasize his service to others, and said personal encounters are an important part of a deacon’s life.

“I enjoy getting to know people and bringing them to a closer relationship with Christ,” said Nickels, who enjoys sports as well as woodworking and gardening.

Deacon Nickels will be assigned to St. Mary, Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Milford.

 

Kevin C. Tietz

Tietz, 55, who works in information technology in the auto industry, has volunteered in jail ministry for seven years at the Macomb County Jail, as well as other areas of service for several years.

A parishioner with his wife, Doll, of St. Anastasia Parish in Troy, Tietz said he hopes his new ministry will allow him “to meet Jesus in those who have been marginalized by society” and “bring them hope, compassion and love.”

A lover of barbeque and father of two grown children — Jerad, 33, and Christopher, 29 — Tietz completed his parish internship at St. Ephrem Parish in Sterling Heights. He said it was at the urging of others that he began to consider the diaconate.

“Certain members of my family provided affirmations regarding my spirituality that led me to explore the permanent diaconate,” said the Troy resident.

Deacon Tietz will be assigned to Our Lady of Grace (Vietnamese) Parish in Northville.

 

Thomas C. Sliney

Sliney, 56, a Troy resident and program engineering manager for General Motors, said he looks forward to meeting the needs of his parish and the archdiocese as a permanent deacon.

Also a parishioner of St. Anastasia in Troy with his wife, Ann Marie, Sliney is a father of five: Lia, 27; Christopher, 25; Jeffrey, 23; Amanda, 21; and Nicholas, 16. An outdoorsman, he enjoys sports, camping and Scouting.

Sliney credited family, friends and clergy who were “so important” during his formation.

“Thanks be to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for many prayers answered in unexpected ways,” said Sliney, who completed a parish internship at St. Andrew Parish in Rochester.

Deacon Sliney will be assigned to St. Andrew Parish in Rochester.