The Diaconate Office of the Diocese of Amarillo is pleased to announce that Bishop Patrick J. Zurek and the Presbyteral Council have authorized the initiation of the next Deacon Class of 2016. A deacon is a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit to help our Church to spread the good news about Jesus Christ.

Andres “Andy” Gonzalez of St. Laurence Church was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek during a Mass Sept. 30 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Deacon Gonzalez was the 16th man ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Zurek for the Diocese of Amarillo this year. On June 4, also at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Zurek ordained 15 to the Permanent Diaconate:

Emilia Solano, who served on the staff at the Diocesan Pastoral Center from 1990 to 2010, passed away Sept. 10 after a brief illness. She was 72 years old. Memorial Services were conducted Sept. 13, LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Martin Road Chapel, Father Ed Sweeney, presiding. Emilia Solano was born Dec. 4, 1938 in Leila Lake,

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will ordain 15 men to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Amarillo during a 10am Mass Saturday, June 4 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington. “A deacon is a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit to help our Church spread the good news about Jesus Christ,” said Deacon Blaine Westlake.

Deacon Haider Quintero will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Amarillo by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek during a Friday, May 13 Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington. The Mass is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm. Coverage of the Mass will begin at 6:15 on St. Valentine Radio, 1360AM, KDJW and on the diocesan website.

Sixteen deacon candidates for the Diocese of Amarillo were installed to the Ministry of Acolyte during a Mass Dec. 4, celebrated by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek in Holy Family Chapel at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center. Adding to the celebration was music provided by the St. Thomas the Apostle Schola. The class of 2011 began their formation in January 2007, according to Deacon Blaine Westlake,