Bishop ordains deacons

By Tanya Connor
 The Catholic Free Press

It was a day of rejoicing, smiles and embraces, a day of reliving the past and looking to the future, as four men were ordained deacons last Saturday at St. Paul Cathedral.
They are to serve the Church in a variety of ways, Bishop McManus told the congregation, which numbered more than 100, in addition to the priests, other deacons, servers and musicians. The bishop thanked the family members and friends of the ordinands for their prayers and support.
He ordained Luke Andrew Johnson and Stephen James Mullaney transitional deacons for the Worcester Diocese, and Assumptionist Brother Elmer Lagman Vergara a transitional deacon for the Augustinians of the Assumption. All are preparing for the priesthood.
Bishop McManus ordained Jerry Miranda a permanent deacon for the diocese. He belongs to St. John Paul II Parish in Southbridge, and is being assigned there.
 After Mass, The Catholic Free Press talked with family and friends of Deacon Miranda, for whom this ordination was a final step.
“It was emotional, a very big blessing,” Deacon Miranda’s wife, Legna Colón, said as she and their daughters, Lidrianys and Yerilian Miranda, and other family members, came to join their newly ordained loved one. “I think it’s a blessing not only for the family, but the community too.”
“I’m so proud of him, that he listens to God’s call,” said his cousin Brenda Meléndez, of St. John Paul II Parish in Southbridge, who is like a sister to him. “It’s been a long four years (of preparation) for him, but it’s worth it.”
“He worked really hard for it,” said her daughter Natyarie Villanueva, who helped him with PowerPoint presentations for his classes. “I love him.”
Deacon Miranda knew that his parents, Victor Miranda and Olga Meléndez, were coming from Puerto Rico for his ordination. But his cousin Jonathan Miranda and his cousin’s son, Jonavid, came from there too – as a surprise.
Jonavid said Deacon Miranda first realized they were there when they went up to him to receive Communion, and that he was shocked!
“He’s our spiritual son,” Rita Camacho said, in reference to how she and her husband, Deacon Teodoro Camacho, who died in 2019, treated Deacon Miranda. “Even though Teodoro’s not here … Teodoro’s going to be praying for him,” that the Holy Spirit will guide him. The Camachos served at St. John Paul II Parish, and she continues to help there.
She said that being at the ordination was like reliving her husband’s ordination years ago, and it renewed her commitment, as a deacon’s wife, “to guide others with my example, do the best I can to bring others to God.”
Mrs. Camacho and Mildre Báez, of St. John Paul II Parish, sang a congratulatory song on the cathedral steps as Deacon Miranda greeted well-wishers.
Ms. Báez said she saw him working hard to prepare for the diaconate, and that he and his family are always at church. Having another Hispanic deacon is important for the Hispanic community, she said.
Deacon Gilberto A. Javier-Almonte, who serves at Our Lady of Providence Parish in Worcester, said that, at Saturday’s ordination, he was reliving his own ordination (2019). He said Deacon Miranda is like a brother to him, and they work together with couples in the Juan XXIII movement.     

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