The Diaconate Ordination Class of 2003 celebrated its 20th Anniversary of Ordination at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Newport Beach this summer.
THE DIACONATE ORDINATION CLASS OF 2003 CELEBRATED ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY ON JULY 15.
The July 15 celebration was a moment of remembrance and reminiscing over the day the 14 of us were ordained as deacons on May 3, 2003, by Most Rev. Bishop Tod Brown at St. Columban Parish in Garden Grove.
Twelve deacons and their wives, along with our Diaconate Director Frank Chavez and his wife Mary, were there with us to celebrate. Deacon Don Jenson and his wife Dottie who live in Arizona were unfortunately unable to attend. We also missed Deacon Fred Canlas who is now with our Lord; however, his wife Marie came out from Oregon. We also missed Elena, the wife of Deacon Ramiro Lopez, who is also with our Lord.
Deacon Tony Carrasco and his wife Terry traveled from Carson City, Nevada and Deacon Bill Yang and his wife Nancy traveled from Fresno, California.
We revisited that spiritual moment 20 years ago and shared our ministry encounters, especially those moments that left a lasting impression.
We began the afternoon by enjoying social time with each other over great hors d’ oeuvres prior to attending Mass.
The Mass intention was in remembering Deacon Fred Canlas and Elena Lopez. May their souls rest in peace.
After Mass, we shared a delicious steak dinner and continued to socialize. We watched a video produced and directed by some of our class members depicting us in a “Laugh-In” sketch comedy scenario.
All in all, it was a memorable celebration – seeing each other, seeing the bond we have and the love and joy for each other.
The afternoon concluded with Deacon Frank Chavez giving us a special blessing.
We want to acknowledge and thank Msgr. Doug Cook, the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, for opening his parish and hosting the celebration. His generosity is greatly appreciated.
We also want to thank Deacon Frank and Mary Chavez for all the support and guidance they have given us through the years. That is also greatly appreciated.
Thank you also to Deacon Steve Mutz and Gloria-Jean.
Thank you to my wife Cathy for helping me coordinate the event.
With the grace of God, we hope and pray to celebrate our 25th Ordination Anniversary in five years together again.