By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | The number of permanent deacons serving in the Archdiocese of Miami will increase from 143 to 149 Dec. 16, when Archbishop Thomas Wenski ordains six men to serve in parishes and ministries throughout South Florida.

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 baptize, witness marriages and administer Communion, though they cannot consecrate the Eucharist, hear confessions, or give absolution.

Permanent deacons do not go on to become priests, and can be married at the time of their ordination. If unmarried, they take a vow of celibacy.

Here are brief bios of the permanent deaconate class of 2017.

William “Billy” Bertot

Bertot, 50, was born at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Miami Beach, and is not married. He works as a payroll specialist in human resources.

Baptized at Corpus Christi Parish in Miami, he made his first Communion at St. John Bosco in Little Havana and was confirmed at St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

His favorite quote is from St. Teresa of Calcutta: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

He has been assigned to his home parish, Gesu in downtown Miami.

David W. Bowen

Bowen, 62, was born in Lincoln, Neb., and has worked in the aviation industry for over 30 years. He has been married to Alba for 40 years. They have two daughters and one grandson. 

Baptized in 1956 as a Methodist, Bowen is a convert who was received in the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2003.

His favorite Bible passage is from Eph 6:11-13: “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.”

He has been assigned to his home parish, St. Bartholomew in Miramar.

 

John T. Ermer, Sr.

Ermer, 57, was born in Miami and works as a financial advisor. He has been married to Lourdes for 37 years. They are very close to their son John and his wife Jackie and enjoy spending time with their granddaughter Olivia.

Ermer was baptized at Immaculate Conception in Hialeah and received his first Communion and confirmation at St. Christopher Parish in Baldwin, N.Y. He was married at St. John the Apostle in Hialeah.

His favorite quote is from the Rite of Ordination for Deacons: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

He has been assigned to his home parish, St. Joseph on Miami Beach.

 

Ricardo J. Rauseo

Rauseo, 65, was born in Aragua, Venezuela. He has been married to Nancy for 40 years and they have three daughters and four grandchildren. He is retired, having spent 25 years as an agronomist and an officer with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

He was baptized and received the sacraments of Communion and confirmation at the Cathedral of San Jose in the Diocese of Maracay, Venezuela. He and his wife were married at the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y Santa Rita in Valencia, Venezuela.

His favorite Bible passage is from Psalm 23: “El Señor es mi pastor: nada me falta.”

He has been assigned to his home parish, Our Lady of Lourdes in Miami.

Jorge Eduardo Reyes

Reyes, 50, was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, and works as a mechanical engineer. He is not married but is the father of two children.

He was baptized and made his first Communion at the Parroquia del Patrocinio in Cienfuegos. He was confirmed at Nativity Parish in Hollywood.

His favorite quote is: “The way we love our brothers is by serving them, and by serving them, we serve Christ.”

His favorite Bible passages are about love. From 1 Cor 13:13: “Our greatest virtues are faith, hope and love and the greatest one is love.” And from Jn 15:13: “There is not greater love than laying down one’s life for his brother.”

He has been assigned to his home parish, Nativity in Hollywood.

 

Sergio Rodicio

Rodicio, 45, was born at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Miami Beach. He has been married to Lenore for 18 years and they have five children, ages 17 to 3. He is a certified public accountant who works as business operations manager at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami.

Rodicio was baptized at St. Timothy Parish, Miami; received his first Communion at St. John Bosco, Miami; and was confirmed and married at St. Michael the Archangel, Miami.

His favorite quote is from Bishop Fulton J. Sheen: “The truly good man feels the world is the way it is because in some way he has not been better.”

His favorite Bible passage is from Psalms 34:9: “Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in Him.”

He has been assigned to his home parish, St. Mary Cathedral.