2023 Vocations Awareness Supplement
New deacon aspirants come from varied backgrounds
Click above for a larger image.
In August, 17 men from across central and southern Indiana began formation as the archdiocese’s fifth class of deacon aspirants.
During the next four years, they will participate in the four dimensions of deacon formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral.
In that time, they will meet as a group for classes or on retreat one weekend a month for 11 months each year. Additionally, they will participate in various ministries of charity in parishes to which they will be assigned as well as other places outside of parishes such as jails, hospitals and nursing homes.
Leading the men in their formation will be Deacon Kerry Blandford, archdiocesan director of deacon formation.
The new class of deacon aspirants range in age from 40 to 72. They have been married as few as 10 years and as many as 41 years.
All continue to work at careers in the secular world in a wide range of fields including technology, engineering, education, social work, firefighting and carpentry.
The 17 aspirants come from 14 archdiocesan parishes that are located in eight of its 11 deaneries.
They are:
James Barker
Age: 53
Wife: Julie
Children: 4
Parish: St. Joseph, Shelbyville
Occupation: Software account executive
Anthony Basso
Age: 45
Wife: Courtney
Children: 2
Parish: St. Malachy, Brownsburg
Occupation: Theology teacher at Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis
Donald Burgener
Age: 55
Wife: Yolanda
Children: 3
Parish: St. Rose of Lima, Franklin
Occupation: Retail store assistant manager
Michael Crossey
Age: 58
Wife: Tricia
Children: 5
Parish: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Indianapolis
Occupation: Strategic and financial management
Richard
Gallamore
Age: 72
Unmarried
Parish: St. Mary, Indianapolis
Occupation: Teacher at
St. Roch School in Indianapolis
Patrick Hoekstra
Age: 42
Wife: Jennifer
Children: 3
Parish: St. Malachy, Brownsburg
Occupation: Licensed clinical social worker, program manager for mental health staff for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Rodrick Hughes
Age: 50
Wife: Julie
Children: 6
Parish: St. Pius X, Indianapolis
Occupation: Vice president of transformation for a technology company
Bryan Korff
Age: 63
Wife: Teresa
Children: 4
Parish: St. Michael, Greenfield
Occupation: Software developer
Peter Majeski
Age: 62
Wife: Angela
Children: 4
Parish: St. Thomas More, Mooresville
Occupation: Insurance agent
Kevin Murphy
Age: 40
Wife: Jessica
Children: 1
Parish: St. Joseph University, Terre Haute
Occupation: Firefighter, emergency medical technician
Richard Rader
Age: 61
Wife: Andrea
Children: 4
Parish: St. Malachy, Brownsburg
Occupation: Certified public accountant
Miguel Angel Perez Salazar Carillo
Age: 52
Wife: Fernande Denise Drieux Parra
Children: 2
Parish: St. Bartholomew, Columbus
Occupation: Computer systems analyst
Christopher Rito
Age: 56
Wife: Melinda
Children: 5
Parish: SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi, Greenwood
Occupation: Research scientist
Edward Spahr
Age: 47
Wife: Susan
Children: 3
Parish: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Indianapolis
Occupation: Engineer
Agustin Torres-Lozano
Age: 52
Wife: Angelica Guadalupe Martinez Arce
Children: 3
Parish: St. Bartholomew, Columbus
Occupation: Project manager
Jayson Waterman
Age: 53
Wife: Karen
Children: 5
Parish: St. Gabriel, Connersville
Occupation: Forester for Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Bryan Wulf
Age: 58
Wife: Patricia
Children: 2
Parish: Good Shepherd, Indianapolis
Occupation: Carpenter
Click on the image below for a larger version
