Permanent Deacons to be ordained July 21

We are pleased to announce that four Edmonton men are preparing for ordination this month to the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese. Archbishop Richard Smith will preside at the Mass of Ordination on Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Basilica.

The candidates are:

	Steven Defer Steven Defer of St. Dominic Savio Parish. An engineer by trade, Steven is married to Nancy. Steven has formerly served as a military chaplain and coordinator of the archdiocesan Office of Life and Family.
	Pedro “Bong” Estoque Pedro “Bong” Estoque of St. Charles Parish. Bong is married to Rodora, and they are parents to Peter, Rosalyn, and Rochelle. He is active as a volunteer and in the Knights of Columbus. A retired engineer by trade, he worked as a Project Manager and as a contract instructor for NAIT. He enjoys pilgrimages and loves music.
	Francis Lau Francis Lau of Mary Help of Christians (Chinese) Parish. Francis is married to Ivy. A student at Newman Theological College, he currently serves as a Case Instructor at the Interdiocesan Tribunal of Edmonton.
	Wayne Provencal Wayne Provencal of St. Matthew Parish. Wayne is married to Mary-Ann. He currently serves as Financial Administrator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.

Please keep these men in your prayers.

Due to COVID-19 health restrictions, attendance at the diaconal ordinations will be limited to family members of the candidates. We invite everyone else to participate via the livestream.

A permanent deacon’s ministry evolves in response to specific needs and his God-given talents. The three dimensions of diaconal service are Ministry of Love and Justice, Ministry of the Word of God, and Ministry within the Liturgy. Permanent deacons prepare the faithful to celebrate the sacraments and to carry out their vocations as baptized Christians. They are commissioned to preach, to teach, to counsel and to give spiritual guidance. They baptize, witness marriages, and preside at wake services and funerals. In all that they do, permanent deacons act as servants of the Church.

The July 21st ordinations will bring the total number of permanent deacons in the Archdiocese to 39.