It was a day of thanksgiving for the archdiocese on June 8 as 16 new deacons joined hundreds of their confreres in the ministry of charity, the Word, and the altar following their ordination at St. Mark the Evangelist Church by Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS.
Newly ordained deacons and their wives are Regino and Cecilia Avila, Carlos and Sherry Barrera, Estevan and Patricia Bautista, Ebelio and Graciela Fuentes, Ovidio and Leticia Garcia, Mark and Patricia Henson, Matthew Laijas, Antonio and Victoria Leven, David and Martha Plata, Roel S. and Carmen Quiroga, Santiago and Millam Sánchez, Adrian and Jennifer Soriano, John and Linda Treviño, Mark and Julie Urby, Philip and Carol Villanueva, and Enrique and Blanca Villegas.
The archbishop called the moment one of profound significance for the local Church, as the men — accompanied by their wives and families — dedicated their lives to the service of God and His people. He described this calling as not merely a task, but a profound identity.
“As deacons, you are called to be prophetic voices in our community. Your mission is to announce the truth without calculating the cost, to proclaim the comforting and challenging words of God, and to serve as visible signs of God’s love and justice,” he said. “In a world where many prophetic voices are silenced by force or fear, you are called to stand firm, trusting that God is your protector and guide. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, you are sent.” The archbishop added, “You are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, dedicating yourselves to the needs of the community, ensuring that no one is neglected.”
Archbishop Gustavo emphasized that the new deacons are being sent into the world to transform it through service, witness, and proclamation. He quoted Pope Francis, who has stated, “The prophet is the one who shows Jesus to others, who bears witness to him, who helps live today and build the future according to His designs.” The archbishop told the elect, “You are called to be this prophetic presence, showing Jesus to others through your actions, words, and your very being.”
As the ordination was being celebrated on the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the San Antonio shepherd remembered her perfect discipleship and her unwavering trust in God’s plan. “May the example of Mary – who meditated all things in her heart – inspire you to keep the word of God within you and to respond courageously to the call of the Lord. Remember that it is God who has chosen you, who equips you and who sends you forth,” he prayed. “May your trust in God conquer any fear or reluctance, and may His power enable you to withstand any challenge, proclaiming the truth with courage and love. May Our Lady of Guadalupe help you to be brave prophets of our time, bearing witness to Christ and proclaiming His marvelous deeds.”
During the ordination rite, Deacon Mike Pawelek, director of the Office of Diaconate Ministry and Formation of the archdiocese, called forward by name those to be ordained, and after responding, each one approached the archbishop, to whom they made a sign of reverence. After all had been called and their suitability affirmed, the assembly gave their assent by responding, “Thanks be to God.”
Following the homily, the elect rose and stood before the archbishop, who questioned them. Then each of the elect went to the archbishop and knelt before him, placed their hands between those of the archbishop, to whom each promised obedience and respect.
After the Litany of Supplication, where the deacon candidates lay prostrate before the altar, the elect rose one by one and went to Archbishop Gustavo and knelt. The archbishop placed his hands in silence upon the heads of each of the elect. Then, with the elect kneeling before him, Archbishop Gustavo, with hands outstretched, pronounced the Prayer of Ordination.
Afterwards, the newly elect received the stole and dalmatic. Vested as deacons, the newly ordained went to the archbishop and knelt before him. He placed the Book of the Gospels in the hands of each one and pronounced the exhortation.
Subsequently, Archbishop Gustavo gave each of the newly ordained the fraternal kiss. Likewise, all deacons present gave the fraternal kiss to each of the newly ordained. Once the rite of ordination concluded, other deacons present renewed their vows to serve the Lord and His people.
At the conclusion of the liturgy Deacon Pawelek announced the parish and archdiocesan assignments for the new deacons. They are:
- Deacon Regino Avila — St. Joseph-Honey Creek in Spring Branch — Marriage and Family Life Ministry
- Deacon Carlos Barrera — St. Peter the Apostle in Boerne — Diaconate Office
- Deacon Estevan Bautista — St. Mary in Somerset — Diaconate Office
- Deacon Ebelio Fuentes — Prince of Peace in San Antonio — Campus Ministry
- Deacon Ovidio Garcia — St. Benedict in San Antonio — Hospital Ministry
- Deacon Mark Henson — Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes — Cemetery Ministry
- Deacon Matthew Laijas — Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Losoya — Prison Ministry
- Deacon Antonio Leven, Jr. — St. Andrew in Lytle — Prison Ministry
- Deacon David Plata — St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in San Antonio — Hospital Ministry
- Deacon Roel Quiroga — Prince of Peace in San Antonio — Diaconate Office
- Deacon Santiago Sanchez — St. Vincent de Paul in San Antonio — Cemetery Ministry
- Deacon Adrian Soriano — St. Timothy in San Antonio — Tribunal Office
- Deacon John Treviño — St. Gregory the Great in San Antonio — Catholic Charities
- Deacon Mark Urby — St. John the Evangelist in Hondo — Prison Ministry
- Deacon Philip Villanueva — Holy Name in San Antonio — Campus Ministry
- Deacon Enrique Villegas — St. Brigid in San Antonio — Prison Ministry
The archdiocese has the fifth highest number of permanent deacons in the United States at almost 400, just slightly behind the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
