All are invited to attend the Mass of Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Basilica.
Three men – Amelito ‘Ali’ Perez, Kevin Keech and Karl Pierzchajlo – will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Paul Terrio, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of St. Paul.
To read more about these men and their call to the Diaconal vocation, click below.
Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a deacon is an ordained minister in the Church, called to model Christ’s service within a parish and into the secular world.
A permanent deacon’s ministry evolves in response to specific needs and his God-given talent, and is modelled after the threefold apostolic ministry of the Bishop: the ministries of charity (love and justice), of the Word of God, and sacrament.
Permanent deacons assist in preparing the faithful to celebrate the sacraments and carry out their vocations as baptized Christians. They are commissioned to preach, teach, counsel and give spiritual guidance.
They baptize, witness marriages, and preside at wake services and funerals (without Mass).
In all that they do, permanent deacons act as servants of the Church.
Read our brochure for more information on the Permanent Diaconate.
Deacon Arden Playford, who has served as a deacon for two years, reflects on his journey to the diaconate and shares words of wisdom for those discerning their vocation or preparing for ordination: