Archdiocese of Chicago announces new deacons

Five Northwest suburban residents are among 19 men who will be ordained as permanent deacons by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, will ordain the deacons at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 12, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago.

The newly ordained deacons and will be assigned to home parishes in: Arlington Heights, Berwyn, Brookfield, Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Glenview, Grayslake, Ingleside, Oak Forest, Orland Park.

"Deacons give life to the mission of the Church through proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments and performing works of charity and service," Cupich said in a news release. "In this jubilee year of the United States' diaconate, we celebrate and honor the invaluable contributions that deacons and their wives make in our parishes and communities, particularly through their example of generous love and their service to the poor and needy."

Deacons assist in proclaiming the Gospel, leading intercessions, preaching and preparing the altar, celebrating baptisms, leading the faithful in prayer, distributing holy communion, witnessing marriages and conducting wake and funeral services. Deacons also identify the needs of poor and underserved, and shepherd the Church's resources to meet those needs.

The Northwest suburban deacons to be ordained and their wives are:

•Thomas and Virginia Biegel, St. Gilbert, Grayslake

•Mark and Regina Buckley, St. Bede, Ingleside

•Peter and Jan LeTourneau, Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights

•Paul and Lisa Onischuk, Our Lady of the Wayside, Arlington Heights

•Conrad and Linda Wojnar, St. Stephen Protomartyr, Des Plaines.