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iiiOctober 8, 2021 | catholicnewsherald.com
FROM TH
Meet our new deacons
Becker
Deacon Joseph Becker Assignment: St. Matthew Church, Charlotte Wife: Tammy Becker Family: Three adult children, three grandchildren Originally from: Cincinnati, Ohio Lived in diocese: First arrived 1985, spent a few years away, back since 2010
Deacon Eduardo Bernal Assignment: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Charlotte Wife: Brenda Arroyo Family: One child Originally from: El Salvador Lived in diocese: Since 2000
Bernal
Deacon Carl Brown Assignment: Good Shepherd Mission, King Wife: Leslie Brown Family: Three adult children, five grandchildren Originally from: Chicago, Illinois area Lived in diocese: Since 1992 Brown
Deacon Charles Hindbaugh Assignment: Our Lady of the Americas Church, Biscoe Wife: Mary Hindbaugh Originally from: Monroe, Michigan Lived in diocese: Since 2011
Bishop Peter Jugis ordained 12 men as permanent deacons Sept. 25 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville. With this ordination class, the diocese has 146 permanent deacons – the most in
‘Ministers of un
Hindbaugh
Deacon Todd Labonte Assignment: St. James the Greater Church, Concord Wife: Michelle Labonte Family: Two teenage children Originally from: Biddeford, Maine Lived in diocese: Since 2016
Deacon John Langlois Assignment: St. Eugene Church, Asheville Wife: Marie Langlois Family: Two children Originally from: Greenville, Rhode Island Lived in diocese: Since 1991 Langlois
With latest ordination, diocese has most deacons in its history SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER
Labonte
its history – serving throughout western North Caroli more than 500,000.
HUNTERSVILLE — Bishop Peter Jugis ordained 12 men as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte during a two-hour Mass Sept. 25 at St. Mark Church. The new deacons are Joseph Becker, Eduardo Bernal, Carl Brown, Charles Hindbaugh, Todd Labonte, John Langlois, Thomas Martin, William Melton Jr., Francisco Piña, Herbert Quintanilla, Joe Smith and Margarito Franco Torres. With this ordination class, the diocese now has 146 permanent deacons – the most in its history – serving throughout western North Carolina, where the Catholic population numbers more than 500,000. During the ordination rite, the men knelt one by one before Bishop Jugis three times. First, the bishop clasped their hands as they committed to serve him and the Church. Second, the bishop laid hands on their heads, invoking the Holy Spirit. And lastly, they received the Book of the Gospels to symbolize their ministry to preach and teach. The newly ordained deacons will now be able to assist at the altar during Mass, proclaim the Gospel at Mass,
More online At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See more photos and video highlights from the ordination Mass, watch Bishop Jugis’ complete homily, and read reflections from the deacons and their wives about their vocation give homilies, administer the sacrament of baptism and officiate at weddings. Permanent deacons serve in parishes as well as in specialized pastoral areas such as Hispanic Ministry, RCIA, the airport chaplaincy and prison ministry.
FATHER JOINS HIS SON IN SERVICE
Deacon Joseph Becker follows his son, Father Brian Becker, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa, into service to the Church. “The son that I clothed as a child is now my spiritual father as a priest. For him to clothe me in the vestments of the diaconate was such a blessing,” Deacon Becker said. “It’s been a great joy to watch my father’s progress to the diaconate over the last several years,” Father Becker noted. “Through the process, we’ve had great discussions as he’s continued to be formed in the Church’s intellectual tradition.” “So many have benefited from his teaching and work, even during his formation, that I’m excited to see the impact of God’s grace as my father now embarks on the diaconal ministry he has received,” Father Becker added. Deacon Becker preached his first Mass Sept. 26 at his
