“Deacons wash feet”

From The Tidings in Los Angeles, a story about the 19 men who will be ordained to the diaconate tomorrow:

Ramon Nuñez’ father told him, “If you don’t serve, you don’t know what you were born for.” He also put these words into practice. “When was I was little, all I ever saw was my parents always serving somebody — in the home, in the church and at school. Always serving,” Nuñez said.

“I always looked for ways to serve,” said Nuñez. “I was motivated by the role models around me, the priests that I have worked with and the deacons that I know.”

Nuñez and 18 other men have completed a five-year journey through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ diaconate formation program and are to be ordained by Archbishop José H. Gomez on June 6 as part of the Blessed John Henry Newman Formation Class of 2015 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Ten of the 19 men who will be ordained to the permanent diaconate are from the Spanish-language-side of the program.

“The permanent deacons often work in the real world alongside ‘real people,’ holding regular jobs and do a variety of things across all occupations,” said Deacon David Estrada, director of diaconate formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

“Most, but not all, permanent deacons are married. They bring the perspective of family into ordained ministry. We have ordained men who are also family men who can provide that insight and expertise in service to the faithful,” Estrada continued.

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