Forty-one men took the final step before being ordained deacons for the Diocese of Little Rock. A total of 24 Anglo candidates and 17 Hispanic candidates were installed as acolytes Nov. 20 at Christ the King Church in Little Rock by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor.
The bilingual service highlighted the corporal works of mercy in the Gospel reading.
“In this parable, Jesus says clearly that we will be judged based on our works of charity, so Jesus’ gift of salvation comes with a RSVP. He expects a response. He will remember who did respond by helping the poor and it will be based on that we will be judged. Isn’t this what your call to the diaconate is all about in its essence? Indeed all the ministries of the Church, including the ministry of acolyte,” Bishop Taylor said in his homily before the diaconate candidates’ names were called and each stood to respond “present” before the congregation.
The candidates knelt before Bishop Taylor one by one placing their hands on a vessel with the bread or wine to be consecrated. Bishop Taylor gave them a special blessing and they received the ministry of acolytes. One candidate was also installed as a lector, which the other candidates had previously received.
As acolytes, the men can serve at the altar and assist the priest or deacon during liturgies.
The Anglo candidates and their wives are:
Chuck and Julie Ashburn, John and Theresa Hall, Danny and Stephanie Hartnedy, and Mike and Roz Rector, Little Rock
Tim and Sandy Costello, North Little Rock
Norm and Caroline DeBriyn, and Mike and Nancy Henry, Fayetteville
John and Kem Drake, Paragould
Jerry and Kathy Dunlap, Benton
David and Linda Evans, Arkadelphia
David and Karen French, and Tim and Janie Sampolesi, Lake Village
Ernie and Ann Gallegos, Jacksonville
Ronnie and Sharon Hoyt, Rogers
Tom and Diane Jakobs, Alma
Butch and Deb King, Sherwood
Charles and Liz Kuehl, Fort Smith
Brian and Martha Lachowsky, Altus
Steve and Barbara Mallett, Morrilton
Mark and Elisabeth Scouten, Harrison
Bob and Paula Standridge, Hot Springs
Kenny and Pat Stengel, Ratcliff
Mark and Tracy Verkamp, Charleston
Bob and Sheila Ward, Manila
The Hispanic candidates and their wives are:
Arturo and Maria Castrejon, and Silvestre and Ofelia Duran, Rogers
Elias and Maria Rangel Flores, Green Forest
Cesar and Hilda Villafranca, and Aroldo and Nora Zacarias, Fort Smith
Hector and Adelina Garcia, Ramon and Rosa Ramirez, and Carlos and Virginia Guzman, Jonesboro
Angel and Maria Guzman, Texarkana
Domingo and Mercedes Lopez, Van Buren
Jose and Candelaria Luebanos, El Dorado
Ricardo and Maria Puello, Paragould
Jesus and Norma Ramos, Bella Vista
Israel and Norma Sanchez, De Queen
Efrain and Maria Vargas, Little Rock
Marcelino and Maria Vazquez, Fayetteville
Salvador and Leticia Zavala, Siloam Springs
The bilingual diaconate ordinations will be held for northwest Arkansas candidates Nov. 17, 2012, at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers and for others Nov. 24, 2012, at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.
