Class of 2023
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, will ordain 15 men to the permanent diaconate at 11 a.m. on Feb. 4 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston. The current class is part of a consistently strong permanent diaconate program in the diocese.
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, will ordain 15 men to the permanent diaconate at 11 a.m. on Feb. 4 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston. The current class is part of a consistently strong permanent diaconate program in the diocese.
Deacon John Tempesco, director of the program, said the ordination of these 15 diverse men is the culmination of five and a half years of discernment, study and practical exercises to prepare them to serve the bishop, their priests and the faithful of the diocese across the state.
“As deacons, they will bring Christ into the workplace and their community while bringing the needs of both back into the Church,” he said. “They will teach and preach; baptize children into Christ; prepare couples for marriage and witness their sacrament; and pray for the deceased members of our Catholic family at wakes, funerals and interments. They will work in prisons and as chaplains for first responders; some will work in soup kitchens, others in homeless shelters and still others will serve the poor and needy in many other ways.
“But most of all, we pray that they will be humble servants of God and his Church in whatever he calls them to do,” Deacon Tempesco said.
Meet the men in formation preparing to become deacons in 2023.
Enrique Bautista
Wife: Alin Joyce Avila Garcia, 3 children
Parish: St. John Neumann Church, Columbia
Occupation: Pastoral Associate for Hispanic Community
Scott A. Bowen
Wife: Nicole, 2 children
Parish: St. Andrew Church, Myrtle Beach
Occupation: Director of Evangelization
Kenneth Chandlee
Wife: Evelyn, 2 children
Parish: St. Theresa the Little Flower Church, Summerville
Occupation: Engineer
Gerard F. Couture
Wife: Debbie, 3 children, 5 grandchildren
Parish: Our Lady of the Hills Church, Columbia
Occupation: Manager
Thomas J. Heath, Jr.
Wife: Tracey, 5 children
Parish: Our Lady of Grace Church, Lancaster
Occupation: Finance/CPA
Timothy G. Joseph
Wife: Tara, 4 children
Parish: Precious Blood of Christ Church, Pawleys Island
Occupation: Dentist
Angel-Alejandro Juarez-Reyes
Wife: Coinita, 2 children
Parish: St. Anne Church, Rock Hill
Occupation: St. Anne School Facilities
Darren E. Jump
Wife: Jean-Marie
Parish: Holy Trinity Church, Orangeburg
Occupation: Building Materials Executive
Alejandro J. Leguizamón
Wife: Joely, 5 children, 3 grandchildren
Parish: St. Mary Help of Christians Church, Aiken
Occupation: Maintenance
Gary J. Ludlam
Wife: Cheryl, 4 children, 1 grandchild (on the way)
Parish: Sacred Heart Church, Charleston
Occupation: Engineer
Jonathon M. Santilli
Wife: Beth, 2 children
Parish: Christ Our King Church, Mount Pleasant
Occupation: Service Operations Manager
David J. Shinn
Wife: Cheri, 2 children, 7 grandchildren
Parish: Transfiguration Church, Blythewood
Occupation: Retired Air Force/UofSC
Matthew J. Story
Wife: Christine, 2 children
Parish: Stella Maris Church, Sullivans Island
Occupation: Attorney
Jason Werny
Wife: Sarah, 4 children
Parish: Our Lady of the Hills Church, Columbia
Occupation: Manager
James V. Williams
Wife: Theresa, 4 children
Parish: Our Lady of the Hills Church, Columbia
Occupation: Structural Engineer