Diaconate Ordination
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"They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them."
(Acts 6:6)
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Permanent Diaconate Ordination 2022
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On Saturday, October 1, 2022, Mark Marvenko and Joe Samchuck will be among the 17 men ordained as deacons by Bishop David A. Zubik for the Diocese of Pittsburgh at 9:30AM in the Cathedral of St. Paul in Oakland, PA. The video will be posted here for the convenience of our parishioners.
The 17 candidates come from throughout the diocese: 12 from Allegheny County, 2 from Beaver County, 2 from Butler County, and 1 from Lawrence County. All but one of the men is married. They come from a variety of careers and professional backgrounds, including higher education, engineering, medicine, accounting, banking, sales, dentistry, human resources, research, and other facets of business. Four of the men are converts to Catholicism.
“These men have been deeply immersed in the diocesan Deacon Formation Program for more than five years,” Bishop Zubik said. “The process has helped them discern their vocation to this ministry, deepen their relationship with the Lord, and model their lives on Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve.”[Source: https://diopitt.org/2022-diaconate]
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Mark A. Marvenko
Mr. Marvenko is director of human resources for All Lines Technology Inc, which provides IT managed services, software development, IT staffing and help desk consulting as well as other technology-related services. He is retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service. He and his wife, Renee, have three sons. In the parish, he serves as an acolyte, lector, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
Congratulation and best wishes to Deacon Mark Marvenko
in his assignment to Our Lady of the Valley Parish
(eff. Monday, October 17, 2022).
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Joseph A. Samchuck
Mr. Samchuck is a chemist and data validation manager for Tetra Tech, a company that provides consulting, engineering, program and construction management, and technical services with a focus on water, environment, infrastructure, and energy clients. He and his wife, Terri, have a daughter. His parish activities include serving as a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, altar server, and catechist.
Congratulation and best wishes to Deacon Joseph Samchuck
in his assignment to Mary, Queen of Saints Parish
(eff. Monday, October 17, 2022).
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The parishioners of Mary, Queen of Saints pray that God will
bless them abundantly and guide them always in the work of their ministry.
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What is a Deacon?
A deacon in the Roman Catholic tradition is a member of an order of ordained ministry with its roots in the earliest days of the Church.
In the New Testament, we read that, when faced with the need for help, the apostles prayed and laid hands on certain men to designate them for special service to the community (Acts 6 : 1–6). The title “deacon” derives from the Greek word diakonos, meaning “servant” or “minister.” Strengthened by sacramental grace, in union with the bishop and his priests, deacons are called to serve the people of God in the three-fold ministry of liturgy, word, and charity.
As ordained ministers of the Catholic Church, Deacons assist priests at Mass, preach on occasion, and preside as needed at baptisms, weddings, funeral services, and other liturgical functions. They also help provide pastoral care to people in hospitals and nursing homes, jails and prisons, and various other settings, sharing the faith by word and example. Permanent deacons coordinate what is typically part-time ministry with job and family responsibilities.
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