Deacon Ronald Barnes
Assigned to St. Stephen’s Church, Phoenix, and Holy Trinity, Fulton
About 10 years ago, Dc. Ron had the feeling that something was missing from his life. He was considering going back to school when a “wonderful lady from church” asked him if he had ever thought about the diaconate. He hadn’t — but after praying on it and talking to family and friends, he embarked on a new journey with “some of the best guys I have ever met,” shared Dc. Ron.
During this time of reflection and growth, Dc. Ron said he learned “who I am and how to make that person better so I can help others in need and [who are] searching for the truth.” He cited Jesus as his biggest inspiration along the journey to the diaconate, and also highlighted his children, brother, mother and especially his wife, Donna, as his supporters. “My wife has been especially supportive in all the work she has done helping me by listening to my homilies and offering advice. Sometimes just listening to me vent when things get rough is one of the best ways she has supported me,” he said.
In his service as a deacon, Dc. Ron said he is most looking forward to sharing his love for Christ and helping others realize God’s love for them as members of the body of Christ through sharing what he calls the “Bookends of Life”: “This to me is welcoming children into God’s family through Baptism and youth ministries, then saying a final farewell as our dearly departed leave us to meet our Lord Jesus as I serve in funeral ministries.”
Deacon Kurt Behrenfeld
Assigned to St. Mary’s and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Cortland; St. Margaret’s Church, Homer; St. Patrick’s Oratory, Truxton; and St. Lawrence Mission, DeRuyter
Like Dc. Ron, Dc. Kurt first felt the call to the diaconate about 10 years ago. Dc. Kurt said he was naturally drawn to the vocation, and once he learned more about it, there was no looking back. First and foremost along the journey has been God’s presence, he shared, and there have been many people whose support he has been blessed with. “My diaconate brothers and our instructors have been especially formative and encouraging. I am also deeply grateful for the clergy and parishioners of St. Anthony, St. Mary, and St. Margaret, whose steady and cheerful support has meant a great deal,” he said.
Dc. Kurt described the deacon formation process as forming him on every level: spiritually, intellectually, and personally. Through the journey, an important discovery he made is the desire to let go of things that are unnecessary and instead embrace what is truly essential. “And what is essential – more than sufficient – is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Humbly asking for prayers as he enters this new phase, Dc. Kurt said he’s most looking forward to continuing to grow closer to God and to His people. “The original call remains the same, but now I stand at the threshold of living it more fully.”
Deacon Jan De Angelo
Assigned to St. James Parish, Johnson City
As a teenager, Dc. Jan first felt a call to service from God. “I tried joining the OFM Conventual Friars, but it wasn’t for me. I left and married but always knew I was being called to service in some capacity,” he shared. During the deacon formation process, his wife was the person who supported him the most, as well as his brother, Father Jude De Angelo. Dc. Jan had support from Father John Donovan to start the process and from Father Charles Opondo-Owora to continue the process.
Along his journey to the diaconate, what stood out to him most is “the immense responsibility given to [us] as stewards of Christ’s church. That is beyond humbling.” A music and theology teacher at Seton Catholic Central, Dc. Jan is most looking forward to “just serving and helping the Church and its people in any way I can.”
Deacon John Finn
Assigned to Christ the King Church and Pope John XXIII Church, Liverpool
Dc. John has been involved in Church life ever since he can remember – from altar serving as a child, to being in the service corps in high school, and becoming a faith formation teacher. He said that the discernment process of deciding to become a permanent deacon took place over many years, and that after much prayer, he and his wife it was finally the right time.
“The Church has always been an integral part of who I am. It was at Christ the King parish where I first encountered a permanent deacon. At that time, with a young family and a demanding job, it wasn’t something I could consider. But over time as our children grew it was something that started to take root especially as the number of deacons I met grew and I was witnessing their work,” said Dc. John.
During his journey to the diaconate, Dc. John said his relationship with God deepened and he came to a greater appreciation of the unique role each person has in the life of the Church. In his service as deacon, he is most looking forward to new ways he can minister to others and the Church, such as through the Sacrament of Baptism or presiding at a wedding.
There are many people who have supported Dc. John along his journey who he is immensely thankful for. First and foremost is his wife, Joanne, for her love and support that gave him the courage to pursue this calling. He is also grateful for his family, the clergy and parishioners at Christ the King and Pope John XXIII, and the staff and instructors who ministered his formation. Dc. John also shared the deep bond he formed with his classmates. “We have created a lifelong bond together. Our paths may take us in different directions as we start our new journey as deacons, [but] this bond will always be with us, rooted in the life-changing experience we have shared together.”
Deacon Stephen Grausgruber
Assigned to St. Rose of Lima Church, North Syracuse
During his journey to the diaconate, Dc. Stephens said he realized and truly felt that he is a son of God. The resulting trust and love he encountered brought “peace that I have needed for a long time.” Dc. Stephen first felt the call to the diaconate while he was deployed in the Air Force. He served from 1990 until his retirement in 2019.
In his service as a deacon, his goal is simple: to serve God. Dc. Stephen said he wants to bring the message of salvation to anyone he meets, in any way he can. “Service doesn’t stop at the church. I pray I am able to reach those who have strayed from the faith or are struggling to trust that God is for them anytime, anywhere. To be His voice to those that need to hear, His actions for those that need to see it.”
There are several people who have supported Dc. Stephen during his formation. He is blessed to have support from his wife, mother, family, pastor, and parishioners. He is also inspired by Sr. Melissa Hester, a nun who helped him overcome a severe stutter in his youth. More broadly, “inspiration has come from people who are struggling, have nothing but Christ, and radiate joy and happiness.”
Deacon James Morris
Assigned to Sacred Heart Church, Cicero and Divine Mercy Church, Central Square
For Dc. Jim, responding to the call to the diaconate meant answering “yes” to God’s whisper in his life. In 2018, he asked his pastor, Father Richard Prior, about the Formation for Ministry program. Fr. Prior told him the program was a required stepping stone for the permanent diaconate, and asked him if that’s what he wanted to pursue. Dc. Jim admits that for some time, he was a little scared of saying “yes” to God. During the deacon formation process, he discovered that, with our own participation, God continues to mold us into what He designed us to be. “What amazes me is that God seeks our cooperation with His plans for us. While He certainly can reform our lives into anything He wishes, He invites us into the process. … Every day He is remaking you into what He knows will give you that sense of purpose, completeness.”
Dc. Jim’s biggest supporter and inspiration along the journey has been his wife, Cindy. He explained that the process simply cannot be accomplished without the support of one’s wife. “Cindy is the one that encouraged me to answer this call and throughout this period of discernment and preparation has prayed with me and for me. It took a little tough love from Father Prior to get me to recognize that God had placed Cindy into my life because she is the one that would show me what humble service was about, she was the one to lead me to true devotion to God and she was the one that God chose specifically for me,” Dc. Jim said.
In his service as a deacon, he is looking forward to continuing his ministry to elderly, especially those who are homebound or in assisted living facilities. Dc. Jim is also a volunteer at Emmaus Ministries. “I would like to introduce parishioners to this special place and others like it. The church is so much more than the building we attend Mass in,” he said.
Deacon Dr. David Nesbitt
Assigned to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, St. Augustine’s Church, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Baldwinsville
Dc. Dave has felt gentle nudgings from the Holy Spirit throughout his life, but he first considered the call to the diaconate as he became more involved in parish life when his children were involved in youth ministry events. “A lot of the projects we did with the youth were service oriented, and that is what the diaconate is really all about – serving others, whether bringing them food or clothing, or bringing them closer to God. … Though they may not fully know this, all my children have inspired me to pursue this journey,” said Dc. Dave.
In addition to his children, he’s been blessed with support from clergy in Baldwinsville over the years, people with whom he’s ministered in parish life, and his wife, who is his “rock, with her faith and her knowledge and her guidance.”
Standout aspects of deacon formation for Dc. Dave have been the deep dives into Scripture, the ecumenical dialogue during Pastoral Care Education, and time spent in shared or private prayer: “Developing that relationship in Christ, we can then celebrate liturgy with the right mindset, and with heart.”
In his future as a deacon, Dc. Dave is looking forward to celebrating times of joy through the Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, while also offering hope during times of suffering—being present with others during the “God moments” in their lives.
Deacon Dr. Paul Sansone
Assigned to Holy Cross Parish, DeWitt and St. Anthony of Padua Church, Syracuse
When he was living in New Hampshire 15 years ago, Dc. Paul first felt the call to the diaconate. His parish priest, Fr. Francis Belanger, asked him if he’d ever considered becoming a permanent deacon. At the time, he had no experience with permanent deacons and knew very little about them. “I attended a workshop held by our diocese and met many deacons and had a wonderful experience. I felt the call to the permanent diaconate from that moment on,” he said.
There are many significant discoveries Dc. Paul has realized during this time of reflection and growth, including “the reality that I am nothing, and that in Christ, I have life and have it more abundantly. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit and the total surrender of self, I am transformed by grace, more fully into God‘s adopted child and the person He has meant for me to be.” During the deacon formation process, Dc. Paul was first and foremost supported by his wife, Amy, as well as his children and family, Bishop Lucia, the diocese, the deacon formation team, his home parish of Holy Cross led by Fr. John Kurgan, and his deacon mentor, Larry Messina.
In his service as a deacon, Dc. Paul is most looking forward to serving Christ and his people in different ways, including assisting in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, proclaiming the Gospel, and preaching the message of God’s love and salvation for all people. He also plans to continue ministering to the elderly and homebound, and hopes to pursue chaplaincy, as well.
Deacon Michael Stanistreet
Assigned to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Syracuse
Dc. Michael’s devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Mother has strengthened his call to offer his life in service to the Church—a call he first felt when he was a young boy altar serving at the 6:30 a.m. daily Mass. “In that quiet faithfulness, the Lord and my loving parents planted the first seeds of vocation in my heart—seeds nurtured by their example, love and guidance and also by many wonderful priests on my journey,” he said. Indeed, many priests inspired and supported Dc. Michael’s journey to the diaconate, but first and foremost, his wife, Kathryn, has been a steady source of love and encouragement along the way. In addition to his extended family as well as his late parents and his sons, Patrick and Zachary, Dc. Michael said he has been inspired by those who he is blessed to serve at the Samaritan Center, Francis House, and St. Camillus.
During this time of reflection and growth, Dc. Michael said it’s amazing to him how God and the Blessed Mother “walk with me each day, guiding me as I follow and fulfill the mission planned for me as a servant of God.” In his vocation as a deacon, he looks forward to being open to God’s greater mission for him and sharing his love for Christ as he helps those who are in need.
Deacon Kenneth Theurer
Assigned to Holy Family Parish, Syracuse, and St. Marianne Cope Parish, Solvay and Lakeland
About ten years ago, Dc. Ken’s wife, Laurie, urged him to get more involved in their church community. He started by joining the Knights of Columbus, and felt in his heart he was being called to move service as he found a deeper connection with the faith. Once he attended a Formation for Ministry Program information session, he “met and listened to a presentation by a permanent deacon—and I really began to seriously examine through prayer and reflection whether I was experiencing a call,” he shared.
Besides the immense encouragement, sacrifice, and support from Laurie, Dc. Ken emphasized how the entire parish community has inspired him along his journey. “I am blessed at Holy Family to have the finest imaginable role models with our priests and deacons. Father John Manno exemplifies pastoral leadership. Likewise, we have had parochial vicars and retired priests in our parish taking time to explain and mentor,” as well as his deacon brothers who have taken time to provide advice and counsel.
Throughout the journey, Dc. Ken has discovered that “it is through ministering to others that I in return am ministered to,” and that he has learned so much from the community of homebound parishioners and those in retirement communities, many of whom have since passed on. Although he’s unsure of a specific area of ministry he’ll delve into as a deacon, Dc. Ken hopes to “continue to serve and accompany our parishioners on their spiritual journey—in whatever way is needed.”
