"We thank the 12 of you for your whole-hearted response to the gift and call of God and for your willingness to offer to our Church your gifts and talents, indeed, your very lives themselves. We rejoice with you and your families and all those who have had the privilege of sharing in your formation as you now reach this milestone in your faith journey and fulfill your dream of serving in sacramental ministry in the Church," the cardinal said in his homily.

Ordained to the order of deacon were Francis X. Chau Doan, Robert D. Ervin, Luis R. Flores Jr., Marcello G. Gemellaro, Eugene T. Kowalski, John C. J. Liddle, Arthur W. Majkowski, Gerard M. McGowan, Edwin G. McLeod, Charles R. O'Donnell, Mark A. Redwine and John P. Thompson.

They join 143 active fellow permanent deacons already serving in the archdiocese.

Noting that October is a month dedicated to respect for the dignity of human life, Cardinal Maida continued, "As deacons, I commission you this day to be servants of the Gospel of Life – not only by what you preach, but more importantly by the way that you fulfill your commitments as faithful spouses and fathers, and by your integrity and honesty in your daily labors."

At the conclusion of the Mass, Deacon Gemellaro expressed the gratitude of the entire ordination class – gratitude to God, to the cardinal and other bishops, to the clergy of the archdiocese, their wives and families, seminary faculty, and to all others who played a role in their formation.

"We who have been ordained this morning are overjoyed by the immensity of the gifts, given by God, (that) have been poured out upon us through the hands of so many people making this ordination possible," he said.

Deacon Gemellaro said grace also came through unsettling events: "There is not one among us who has not experienced either economic distress, the loss of a relative or close friend, struggled with illness, or some other circumstance that caused stress and anxiety. These events have challenged our sense of security, and to the extent that they have caused us to focus more closely on God, our true security, then for this grace, we are thankful."

The candidates' wives are involved in their husbands' process of formation for the diaconate in many ways. In the case of Sharon Kowalski, it was she who suggested to her husband that he might have a vocation as a deacon.

"He was in the seminary in high school, and he has always been very active in the Church," she said.

Of the process, Kowalski continued, "It's been busy, it's been wonderful, and we've grown so much."

Speaking of the effect on their faith and prayer life, she added, "Gene and I say Morning and Evening Prayer together every day, and I just feel I see God in more places and in more people than I ever did before."

Millie McGowan said the process of accompanying her husband through his formation process "turned out to be something more than ever expected."

She said it worked a real transformation in her husband: "All his life he was an athlete, a coach, worked at Ford Motor Co. as a supervisor, and always had to be the tough guy, so this was a complete turnaround – he has a softer, loving heart; he's closer to God, closer to our family and friends; and puts things in perspective."

And McGowan said the experience had benefited her as well. "I think it's made my faith richer, stronger, brought me closer to my family and friends, and taught me what's important in life," she said.

Deacons assist the priest at Mass, perform baptisms, witness marriages and conducting wake services; and serve as ministers of justice and charity.