‘Here I am, send me’
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Liverpool’s Pope John XXIII hosts Rite of Candidacy March 15
By Tami S. Scott
Editor
Ten men aspiring to the permanent diaconate celebrated the Rite of Candidacy on March 15 at Liverpool’s Pope John XXIII. This significant step in their journey marked their acceptance as candidates for ordination and their public intention to complete their preparation for Holy Orders.
This special rite must take place in a public setting so that the candidates’ commitment can be witnessed by others. Several priests and deacons were in attendance for the occasion while Bishop Douglas J. Lucia presided.
“Candidacy is not just about the candidate,” Director of Deacon Formation Tom Andino explained to the congregation gathered for Mass. “It is about admitting someone who will eventually serve the church in an official role as an ordained minister.”
The Class of 2026 includes Ronald Barnes, Kurt Behrenfeld, Jan DeAngelo, John Finn, Stephen Grausgruber, James Morris, David Nesbitt, Paul Sansone, Michael Stanistreet and Kenneth Theurer.
Deacons serve in many capacities, such as chaplains in diocesan hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. They can also serve in diocesan offices. Permanent deacons are mainly assigned to their home parish to help the pastor in various capacities. In fact, the linked communities of Christ the King and Pope John XXIII Parishes currently have four permanent deacons: Dc. Tom Cuskey, Dc. Ralph Jahnige, Dc. Larry Messina and Dc. Michael Ruf and in 2026, once ordained, candidate John Finn will join them.
“Our brothers consider themselves ready to respond generously to the call of the Lord, trusting the Lord in whom they put the hope of faithfully pursuing their vocation. They say, with the Prophet, ‘Here I am, send me,’” Bishop said, transitioning from his homily to the Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders.
During the ceremony, Bishop asks two questions of which each respond “I do.”
“Do you resolve to complete your preparation so that in due course, you are made ready to undertake the ministry of holy orders in the church?”
“Do you resolve to form your heart and mind in such a way that you will be able faithfully to serve Christ, the Lord and His Body, the Church?
The aspirants’ responses are their promise to continue their human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation. The bishop then blesses them and receives them into candidacy.
When asked how he felt to be at this point of his formation, David Nesbitt told the Sun, “It’s an honor. This is a commitment for us for the next year — to the bishop, to the diocese, to God, to continue on our journey and toward ordination next year.” Nesbitt said that many years ago, he had a calling but “as some deacon mentors have said, it’s a calling that doesn’t go away. God keeps tapping on the shoulder.”
Paul Sansone told of a similar experience when he was living in New Hampshire. A pastor at his parish planted the seed. “I went to an open house, kind of introductory session, and felt the call,” Sansone said. “This was many years ago, and you know, it’s been with me ever since. So I’m just grateful for the grace to respond to that call and for the Diocese here to accept me into it.”
Ronald Barnes was inspired by a church member and underwent discernment and prayer with his family before deciding to pursue this path.
Andino, who was appointed to his role by Bishop Lucia in August 2024, said he’s still learning a lot about the program itself. In the end, it’s about the 10 of them, he said, and the people they serve, highlighting the ripple effect of their ministry and the importance of equipping them with the right tools for their spiritual and human formation “so that they feel well-equipped to gout and do the ministry of the diaconate.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said.
