Article Published

Article_Archbishop Wenski to ordain new Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese of Miami

Press Release | Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Archbishop Wenski to ordain new Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese of Miami

English Spanish

Photographer:

 

Miami…(November 21, 2014) On Dec.6 at 10 a.m., Archbishop Thomas Wenski will ordain 13 men as new Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese of Miami at an Ordination Mass to take place at St. Mary Cathedral, 7525 NW 2nd Ave. Miami, FL. 

Deacons are the second of the major orders and the third of the hierarchical orders within the Catholic Church. The duties of deacons include ministering at the altar, preaching, singing the Gospel at high Mass and assisting the celebrant in general. Deacons can also administer Holy Communion, though they cannot consecrate, hear confessions, or give absolution. They are allowed to baptize.  

Permanent deacons do not go forward to become priests, and can be married by the time of their ordination. 

Meet the Permanent Deacons to be ordained for the Archdiocese of Miami: 

Blaise Augustin: Native of Haiti and born in 1953. He is been married for thirty-four years to Algalite Prospere, and they have a son, two daughters and a granddaughter. He is a business owner. He is a parishioner of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Pompano Beach. 

Néstor Enrique Cárdenas: Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela in 1955. He is married to Dulce. He graduated from Indiana University in 1985 with an Opera Performers Diploma. He is a voice teacher, opera singer, stage director and choral conductor. He is a parishioner of Saint Bonaventure Church in Davie. 

John Armando Clarke: Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico in 1977. He is married to Dawn and they have three sons and two daughters. He graduated from Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood.  He is a former police officer and currently the owner of a martial arts academy. He is a parishioner of Nativity Church in Hollywood.

James Thomas Dugard: Born in the Bronx, New York in 1966.  He is married to Alma Nelly and they have four children. He graduated from St Thomas University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Administration, Barry university in 1995 with a Master of Arts in Theology, and Barry University in 1999 with a Doctor of Ministry.  He is a Religion teacher at Christopher Columbus High School, and an adjunct professor at Barry University and St. Thomas University. He is a parishioner of St. Louis Church in Pinecrest.

Santos Feliciano: Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in 1956. He is married to Milagros Hernandez, and they have two sons and two daughters. He is a graduate of Antillian College University. He is a registered nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit at Larkin Hospital. He is a parishioner of St. Agatha Church in Miami. 

José Felipe Gomez: Born in Manizales, Colombia in 1955. He is married to Elizabeth, and they have two daughters. He graduated from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and holds a Master's degree in Management from Polytechnic University of New York. He works as an analyst in the Logistics Department of Independent Purchasing Cooperative. He is a parishioner of Saint John Neumann Church in Miami.   

Juan Enrique Gonzalez:Born in Havana, Cuba in 1968. He is married to Lizbel, and they have a son and two daughters. He graduated from Barry University with a doctoral degree (Ph.D.).  He is a nurse anesthetist and a college professor at Florida International University. He is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Miami Lakes.

Javier Inda: Born in Matanzas, Cuba in 1962. He is married to Eradis, and they have two daughters, a son and a 4 year old granddaughter. He is a business administrator and a certified licensed construction business trade agent. He is a parishioner of Blessed Trinity Church in Miami Springs.  

Hector Agustín Norat: Born in Havana, Cuba in 1966. He is married to Fatima and they have a daughter and a son. He is an account executive for a customs brokers firm. He is a parishioner of St. Agatha in Miami. 

José Antonio Santos Jr.: Born in Havana, Cuba in 1959. He is married to Marlene and they have three sons. He graduated from University of Miami School of Business in 1981 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and from the School of Law with a Juris Doctor Degree in 1984.  He is an attorney concentrating in information technology and is a Visiting Professor at Florida International University College of Law. He is a parishioner of St. Patrick Church in Miami Beach.  

Alfredo José Valle: Born in Granada, Nicaragua in 1975. He is married to Otilia, and they have two daughters and a son. He graduated from Florida International University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering. He is a parishioner of St John Bosco Church in Miami. 

Mark Phillip Westman:Born in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1958. He is married to Ileana, and they have a son and a daughter. He graduated from South Miami Senior High School in 1976, University of Oklahoma in 1980 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Barry University in 1989 with a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Management.  He is a parishioner of St. Louis Parish in Pinecrest.

Carlos Adrián Zapatero: Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1964. He is married to Patricia, and they have one daughter and one son. He is a Patent and Trademark Agent. He is a parishioner of Holy Rosary – St. Richard Church in Miami.   

The Archdiocese of Miami
www.miamiarch.org
Twitter: @CatholicMiami
Facebook: /ArchdioceseofMiami 

Media contact: Juan A. Di Prado, Media Coordinator, at (305)762-1046 [email protected], or Mary Ross Agosta, Director of Communications, at (305)762-1043 [email protected].                                                                             

###

Powered by Parish Mate | E-system

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply