SCRANTON – In a special Mass held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Sept. 28, 2024, eight men were officially admitted as candidates into the Diocese of Scranton’s Permanent Diaconate Formation Program.
The Mass, attended by clergy, family, and friends, marked a transformative moment for both the candidates and the Diocese.
The candidates are: William Chechel, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville; Daniel B. Cosacchi, Ph.D., Saint Gregory Parish, Clarks Green; Jeffrey R. Kovaleski, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Dickson City; Thomas J. Krzan, Saint Jude Parish, Mountain Top; Kevin J. Martin, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville; Stephen O. Muntzenberger, Saint Jude Parish, Mountain Top; Justo Paula-Martínez, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Scranton; and Paul M. Zwolan, Saint Therese Parish, Shavertown.
“It was a very exciting day for me and all the other candidates,” Chechel said. “It has been maybe a ten-year process of me discerning.”
“I’ve always had a closeness to God and always felt that it was important to share his Word on salvation,” Kovaleski added.
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant for the Mass, emphasizing the importance of service, humility, and commitment to the Church during his homily.
“You are being given the opportunity to deepen your resolve to follow the Lord Jesus and to serve the People of God. Just as the first disciples, you have been chosen for this role,” Bishop Bambera said. “With this formal recognition of your candidacy, you enter a new and deeper phase of formation to prepare you for the singular seal of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Holy Orders.”
During the Rite of Admission to Candidacy, each aspirant was called by name and presented himself before Bishop Bambera. Each man made a promise to complete his formation and form his heart and mind in service to the Church.
The candidates, aged between 38 and 61, represent a diverse array of backgrounds, professions, and life experiences. Among them are educators, mechanics, and company managers, all united by their desire to serve as permanent deacons.
In the Diocese of Scranton, the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program takes five years to complete. The first year, which is considered the aspirancy year, focuses heavily on discernment – not only for the men – but for the Church as well.
“The Rite of Candidacy means that these men have heard the call of God and are responding to it, and that the Church has formally entered into their process of discerning a call to serve as deacons,” Father Mark DeCelles, Director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program, explained. “Deacons, in a special way, share in Jesus’ ministry of being a leader and an example of service.”
The new candidates will spend the next four years studying and training before their ordination as permanent deacons. Permanent deacons may preach, proclaim the Gospel, prepare couples for marriage, witness marriages and conduct funeral services, in addition to other duties.
Following Mass, the candidates and their families joined Bishop Bambera for a reception in the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
Thomas Krzan began the discernment process after receiving a personal invitation from the clergy of his parish.
“The Holy Spirit was able to pull me out of my comfort zone and I’m glad that he did and I’m glad that I answered the call,” he said.
Through the diaconate program, Krzan is hoping to be able to touch those who feel forgotten or left out.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work in the nursing home and people really appreciate that we’re there. They thank us for coming and they sometimes applaud that we’re there, so it’s the poor and forgotten that I’m looking forward to helping,” he explained.
Justo Paula-Martínez feels the same way.
Through the help of an interpreter, Paula-Martínez, who is a native Spanish speaker, said the service work he is already doing in his parish has been very fulfilling.
“In our church, we have a program with the CIC (Community Intervention Center). We take food to the homeless and the needy and I love working with the people and serving the people,” he said. “I just hope to serve all, that the people get to know me, but I get to know them.”