This year, 28 permanent deacons will celebrate milestone anniversaries of their ordination. These deacons, who are assigned to parishes across the Archdiocese of Detroit, minister to the faithful in a multitude of ways, from proclaiming the Gospel and assisting during Masses to celebrating the sacraments of baptism and matrimony. Permanent deacons often serve the faithful as counselors, marriage preparation coordinators, as religious educators, chaplains and outreach ministers to the most vulnerable in the community, including the sick, elderly and imprisoned. Many deacons also care for wives and children, and some hold full-time jobs outside the parish community as well. For all they do, the faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit offer their gratitude and prayers for many years of blessings ahead. The deacons below are listed with the parishes where they are currently serving.

 

40 years

Deacon Lawrence Girard

Deacon Girard, 97, of Dearborn Heights, was ordained April 25, 1976. He is a senior deacon emeritus who continues to serve at St. Sebastian Parish in Dearborn Heights.

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon James Hensel

Deacon Hensel, 88, who lives in Westland with his wife, Sophie, was ordained April 25, 1976. He is a senior deacon emeritus who continues to serve at St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish in Westland.

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon Anthony Lewandoski

Deacon Lewandoski, 82, of Chesterfield, was ordained April 25, 1976. He is a senior deacon emeritus who continues to serve at St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish in New Baltimore.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon William Waldmann

Deacon Waldmann, 78, who lives in Northville with his wife, Barbara, was ordained April 25, 1976. He is a senior deacon emeritus who continues to help out at St. Timothy Parish in Trenton and Holy Family Parish in Novi. He also serves as chaplain to the Oakland County Sheriff Department and serves at St. Thomas More Parish in Durham, N.C., during the winter months.

 

 

 

 

35 years

Deacon Tom Bousamra

Deacon Bousamra, who is retired and lives in Traverse City with his wife, Mary Jane, was ordained to the diaconate June 13, 1981. He currently serves at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Traverse City.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Eugene Desjarlais

Deacon Desjarlais, 80, who is retired and lives in Canton with his wife, Nadine, was ordained to the diaconate June 13, 1981. He is a senior deacon of the archdiocese.

 

 

 

 

30 years

Deacon Ronald McIntyre

Deacon McIntyre, 82, who lives in Dearborn with his wife, Amalia, was ordained Oct. 11, 1986. He is a senior deacon emeritus who currently serves at Holy Redeemer Parish, Detroit.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Deacon Edward Wilson Jr.

Deacon Wilson, 75, who lives in Ocala, Fla., with his wife, Kathleen, was ordained Oct. 11, 1986. He is a senior deacon emeritus who formerly served at St. Paul of Tarsus Parish in Clinton Township.

 

 

 

 

 

25 years

Deacon Peter Cornell

Deacon Cornell, 71, who lives in Belleville with his wife, Florence, was ordained Oct. 19, 1991. He is a senior deacon emeritus who continues to serve at St. Anthony Parish in Belleville.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Steven Morello

Deacon Morello, 63, who lives in Northville with his wife, Francia Susan, was ordained Oct. 19, 1991. He currently serves at St. Thomas a’Becket Parish in Canton.

 

 

 

Deacon Clement Stankiewicz

Deacon Stankiewicz, 71, who lives in Berkley with his wife, Susan, was ordained Oct. 19, 1991. He is a senior deacon emeritus who continues to serve at Our Lady of La Salette Parish in Berkley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 years

Deacon Brian White

Deacon White, 56, who lives in Metamora with his wife, Agustina, was ordained Oct. 6, 2001. He currently serves at St. Damien of Molokai Parish in Pontiac.

 

 

 

 

 

10 years

Deacon Joseph Karle III

Deacon Karle, 48, who lives in Shelby Township with his wife, Beth Maureen, was ordained Oct. 7, 2006, and currently serves at St. Mary of the Hills Parish in Rochester Hills.

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon Zigment Kucharek

Deacon Kucharek, 81, who lives in Redford with his wife, Margaret, was ordained Oct. 7, 2006. He is a senior deacon emeritus and currently serves at St. John Bosco Parish in Redford.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon John Parent

Deacon Parent, 68, who lives in Rochester Hills with his wife, Dee, was ordained Oct. 7, 2006, and currently serves at Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon John Schulte

Deacon Schulte, 58, who lives in Clarkston, was ordained Oct. 7, 2006. He currently serves at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Waterford.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Paul Stevens

Deacon Stevens, 60, who lives in Hamtramck with his wife, Mary Lou, was ordained Oct. 7, 2006, and currently serves at St. John Paul II Parish in Hamtramck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon Ronald Valade

Deacon Valade, 73, who lives in Rochester Hills with his wife, Delia, was ordained Oct. 7, 2006, and currently serves at St. Ireneaus Parish in Rochester Hills.

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon James Wilder

Deacon Wilder, 73, who lives in St. Clair Shores with his wife, Ruth, was ordained Oct. 7, 2006, and currently serves at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Grotto) Parish in Detroit.

 

 

 

 

5 years

Deacon Don Baross

Deacon Baross, 61, who lives in Troy with his wife, Donna, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at St. Anastasia Parish in Troy.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Michael Hammond

Deacon Hammond, 61, who lives in Newport with his wife, Susan, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Newport.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Thomas Houle

Deacon Houle, 65, who lives in Roseville with his wife, Conni, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Ralph Luddecke III

Deacon Luddecke, 69, who lives in Canton with his wife, Penny, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at St. Mary Parish in Wayne.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Michael Oldani

Deacon Oldani, 49, who lives in Chesterfield with his wife, Laura, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at Our Lady on the River Parish in Marine City.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Christopher Rabaut

Deacon Rabaut, 58, who lives in Detroit with his wife, Colleen, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish in Detroit.

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon Michael Stach

Deacon Stach, 52, who lives in Rochester Hills with his wife, Kasia, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Christopher Stark

Deacon Stark, 51, who lives in Troy with his wife, Patti, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at St. Thomas More Parish in Troy.

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon Thomas Strasz

Deacon Strasz, 66, who lives in Grosse Pointe Woods with his wife, Josephine, was ordained Oct. 1, 2011, and currently serves at St. Joan of Arc Parish in St. Clair Shores. Deacon Strasz also serves as administrative assistant for Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Byrnes.