Nineteen candidates will be ordained by Cardinal Roger Mahony to the Sacred Order of Deacon on June 7 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels --- the largest group of new permanent deacons in several years within the Los Angeles County portion of the archdiocese. Sixty permanent deacons were ordained in 2007 for the Santa Barbara region.

Members of the Ignatius/Ignacio 2008 formation class, the men and their wives have undergone a five-year formation period of study, service and prayer in preparation for their new ministry, for which they will be assigned to their home parishes. The deacon couples have attended all-day formation classes every other Saturday and have also participated in annual weekend retreats.

Topics of study included Scripture, ecclesiology, Christology, liturgy, sacramental theology, moral theology, canon law, homiletics, spirituality and ministerial skills. Among the group, ten hail from Our Lady of the Angels Region; five from the San Fernando Region; three from the San Gabriel Region and one from the San Pedro Region.

Deacon candidate Juan Cantillo, director of liturgy at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Los Angeles, said he is "excited, a little nervous but mostly happy" about his upcoming ordination to the permanent diaconate. A former seminarian in his native Colombia, Cantillo said his five years in deacon couple formation with his wife, Lida, resulted in many "fruits," among them the birth of their daughter, Dennise, now three, who will attend the ordination ceremony along with her older brother, Juan Bautista.

Since the diaconate ordination falls on the same day as Loyola High School's graduation, Sheree Johnson, wife of deacon candidate Douglass Johnson, Sr., plans on racing to the ceremony at the Cathedral just as soon as she sees her son, Douglass Revels Johnson, Jr., receive his diploma. Loyola administrators have assured the couple their son will be among the first diploma recipients, so Sheree can hop into a waiting car driven by a friend.

A self-described "cradle-Catholic," Sheree says she is "very excited and proud" that her husband, a convert, is becoming a deacon, fulfilling a desire he has had for many years. Active in ministries to youth, homeless people and the incarcerated, the deacon couple, says Sheree, comes from "a really supportive parish" in Holy Name of Jesus, Los Angeles.

Brief profiles of the new deacon couples are presented on these pages, including some of their present ministries of charity/justice.

Juan and Ana Daisi Ascencio
St. Cecilia, Los Angeles. Juan is a licensed building contractor and Ana Daisi is a housekeeper. Their ministries of service include detention ministry, ministry to the sick, and outreach to the needy.

Daniel and Gilma Bernal
St. Thomas the Apostle, Los Angeles. Daniel is a publications coordinator and Gilma is a homemaker. They are involved in immigration detention ministry and bereavement.

Juan and Lida Cantillo
St. Thomas the Apostle, Los Angeles. Juan is a director of liturgy and Lida is a homemaker. Their ministries include community organizing, adult formation program and ministry to the sick.

Steve and Sharon Ellms
St. Bernardine of Siena, Woodland Hills. Steve and Sharon, are retired. They are involved in RCIA, interfaith dialog and grief support outreach.

Juan and Norma Garcia
St. Frances of Rome, Azusa. Juan is a production coordinator/estimator and Norma is a homemaker. Their ministries include juvenile detention, outreach to the poor and RCIA.

Marco and Martina Garcia
Christ the King, Los Angeles. Marco is a handy man, Spanish transcriber for the Marriage Tribunal, and oversees warehouse inventories. Martina is an assistant caregiver. Their ministries include bereavement ministry and ministry to the sick.

Thomas and Patricia Halliwell
St. Joseph, Long Beach. Tom is an attorney and Patricia is involved in occupational therapy and gerontology. They are involved in ministry to the sick, ministry to the homeless and needy, and bereavement ministry.

Douglass and
Sheree Johnson Sr.
Holy Name of Jesus, Los Angeles. Douglass is a teacher and author and Sheree is an author and musician. They serve in youth ministry, ministry to the homeless and prison ministry.

Rito and Silvia Lopez
Blessed Junipero Serra, Lancaster. Rito is an inspector for aerospace company and Silvia is a cosmetologist. They are involved in detention ministry.

Steven and Marilyn Marsh
St. Dorothy, Glendora. Steve is a biotech lab manager and Marilyn is an elementary school teacher. Their ministries include detention ministry, youth ministry, ministry to the homeless and bereavement ministry.

Miguel and Maria Martínez
St. Raphael, Los Angeles. Miguel is a tire shop owner and Maria is a dress designer/seamstress. They serve in ministry with the sick.

David and Maria Ortíz
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Los Angeles. David is self employed and Maria is in childcare. Their ministries include ministry to the sick and RCIA.

Jesus and Eloisa Pasos
St. Bernardine of Siena, Woodland Hills. Jesus is a fire captain in Los Angeles City and Eloisa is a teacher's aide at St. Bernardine of Siena School. Their ministries include visiting the sick and RCIA.

Harrell and Linda Reynolds
frm Sacred Heart, Lancaster. Harrell is an engineer and Linda is a systems analyst. They serve in ministry to the sick and detention ministry.

Hector and Maria Ruelas
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Los Angeles. Hector is a technician and Maria is an office technician. Their ministries include presiding at funeral vigils and pre-baptism preparation.

John and Nellfa Salazar
St. Francis of Assisi, Los Angeles. John is a plant manager and Nellfa is a homemaker. They are involved in ministry to the sick.

Augustine and Marie Won
St. Bede the Venerable, La Cañada. Augustine is a financial advisor and Marie is a homemaker and part time art tutor. Their ministries include providing food for the poor and working with spiritual renewal programs.

Leonel and Edith Yoque
Holy Cross, Los Angeles. Leonel is self-employed and Edith is a community health worker. They are involved in detention ministry and ministry to the sick.

Bernardo and Maria Zavala
St. Louis of France, La Puente. Bernardo and Maria are business owners. Their ministries include outreach to immigrants and ministry to families in crisis, the elderly and the ill.