On May 10 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will ordain 13 candidates as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Trenton. The ordination Mass will begin at 10 a.m.

The men, each of whom has completed four years of formation in the diaconate program, come from a wide variety of backgrounds. While some candidates are natives of the Trenton Diocese, others hail from other parts of the state and country. The men are also divergent in their professional careers and the ministries in which they serve in their parishes.

Following are profiles of the 13 men who have answered God’s calling to serve the Church as deacons of the diocese.

Christopher Henry Chandonnet

Resides: Millstone Township

Ministering Parish: St. Joseph Parish, Millstone Township

Place of birth/age: Washington, D.C.; 52

Family: Wife, Kathleen; parents,  Noel A. (deceased) and Sandra S. Chandonnet; children, Kaitlyn, 25, Christopher, 22, Courtney, 20, Kelsi, 18, Cade, 12, Kendall, 8
Education: Cold Spring Harbor High School, N.Y. (1979); Long Island University (B.A., political science, 1984)

Employment: director, corporate communications, KPMG LLP, Montvale

Ministries: Children’s Liturgy of the Word, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, reader/lector

Why the diaconate? Someone once said, “You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” What better “something” is there than to bring the love of Christ to another?

Vesting priest: Father Michael Lang, pastor of St. Joseph Parish

Timothy R. Collins

Resides: Medford

Ministering Parish: St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford

Place of birth/age: Philadelphia; 50

Family: Parents, Richard and Arlene Collins

Education: Shawnee High School, Medford (1982); Burlington County College
(Associate degree in accounting, 1985); Stockton State College (B.A., business/finance, 1988)

Employment: director of purchasing, Sirchie Fingerprint Labs, Medford
Ministries: extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, liturgy committee, sacristan

Why the diaconate? After many years of taking, I wanted to give back to the
parish. While serving as a reader, sacristan and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion was very fulfilling, something was still missing. My pastor/sponsor, Msgr. (James H.) Dubell approached me about my interest in becoming a deacon. I inquired, prayed for many months and heard the call. After four years, I am looking forward to more years  serving the people of my parish and Diocese as a deacon

Vesting priest: Father Leandro Dela Cruz, parochial vicar of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish

Richard Coscarelli

Resides: Bradley Beach

Ministering Parish: Ascension, Bradley Beach

Place of birth/age: Elizabeth; 63

Family: Wife, Mary Ann; Parents, Waldimerd and Regina; children, Alyson Strasser, 39, and Melissa Harrison, 37

Education: St. Benedict Prep, Newark (1969); University of Scranton (B.S., History, 1973)

Employment: senior field supervisor, Aldo Design Group, Carteret

Ministries: Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, reader

Why the diaconate? I wanted to share my faith with other people, whether they practice their faith or not. I want people to know the Catholic Church, not as often portrayed, but rather as a vibrant, caring and loving organization. I answered a call from the Lord to work among his people.

Vesting priest: Father Jerome Nolan, pastor of Ascension Parish

Gregory J. Costa

Resides: Hamilton Township

Ministering Parish: St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton

Place of birth/age: Trenton; 59

Family: Wife, Hope; Parents Rose Marie (deceased) and Vincent; children, Anthony, 31, and Samantha, 18

Education: St. Anthony High School, Hamilton (1974); Mercer County Community College (1977)

Employment: owner, Peter Giancola and Sons, Inc., Hamilton

Ministries: parish council, religious education catechist

Why the diaconate? I was moving closer to God through prayer and attending daily Mass. Yet, I found myself looking for more. I spoke with Father Jeffrey Kegley (former St. Raphael-Holy Angels pastor) about my feelings. He told me to pray and ask God for guidance. I spoke to some of the deacons in my parish and saw their dedication and their love to serve God. They inspired me to want to be able to serve our Lord, and thus my journey toward becoming a deacon started.

Vesting priest: Father John Chang, pastor of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish

Philip T. Craft

Resides: Lacey Township

Ministering Parish: St. Pius X, Forked River

Place of birth/age: New Brunswick; 51

Family: Wife, Cynthia; Parents Thomas F. and Margaret M.; children Annemarie Champagne, 29, Nicole Mitschke, 27

Education: Edison High School (1980)

Employment: partner, Diesel Power Service LLC, Farmingdale

Ministries: Reader, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, youth ministry, men’s discipleship

Why the diaconate? The calling to be a deacon has always been there, but through prayer, my wife and family and the people of my parish, I realized this call to aid God’s Church and fulfill my baptismal obligations to inspire others to do the same.

Vesting priest: Father Richard Basznianin, pastor of St. Pius X

Peter F. Downing

Resides: Whiting

Ministering Parish: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Whiting

Place of birth/age: Brooklyn, N.Y.; 50

Family: Wife, Lori; Parents, James Leo and Anna Theresa (both deceased); children, Samantha, 23, Kelly, 20, William, 16, Mary, 11

Education: Toms River High School South, 1981; Stockton State College (B.S., chemistry, 1986); certified hazardous materials manager, licensed site remediation professional

Education: president, Environment and Safety Solutions, Hightstown

Ministries: youth ministry, Diocesan Festival Choir, lector, cantor, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion (parish, nursing home), Famlies of Nazareth Movement (National Animator, 1999-2009; treasurer, 2009-2012)

Why the diaconate? For many years I have served both my local parish and the Church in North America through a Catholic movement. However, I felt that God was calling me to do something more, something different. Upon sensing a call to discern the diaconate

Vesting priest: Father Pasquale Papalia, pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish

Joseph F. Gili

Resides: Lacey Township

Ministering Parish: St. Pius X, Forked River

Place of birth/age: Orange,  58

Family: Wife, Theresa; Parents, Joseph and Mary Lou (both deceased); children, Nicole, 32; Gina, 30; Michelle, 27; Joey, 22; Christina, 20

Education: Our Lady of the Valley High School (1974); William Paterson University (Liberal Arts degree, 1979)

Employment: owner, The Gili Agency, Forked River

Ministries: Knights of Columbus, Faith sharing/Scripture study, Right to Life, Men’s Discipleship, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, altar server training, reader, captain of ushers

Why the diaconate? It’s all about being Catholic. When you begin to understand Catholicism, it’s just natural that you want to share it. Being an example to others in the way of St. Francis or Blessed Teresa, it’s all good. My foundation started with my parents, but especially my grandmother. The call to the diaconate affords me the ability to serve our Lord and his Church.

Vesting Priest: Father Richard Basznianin, pastor of St. Pius X

Richard J. Hobson

Resides: Hopewell

Ministering Parish: St. James, Pennington

Place of birth/age: Trenton; 57

Family: Wife, Elise F. Hobson; Parents, Richard H. deceased) and Cecilia T. Hobson; children, Richard C. Hobson, Michael J. Hobson, John P. Otters, Erica M. Otters

Education: Hopewell Valley Central High School (1974); Mercer County Community College

Employment: manager-IT, State of New Jersey Department of Treasury

Ministries: Religious education catechist; Vacation Bible School director; parish 100th anniversary committee chairman; youth group advisor; extraordinary minister of holy Communion, reader, facilities committee, separated and divorced ministry, pastoral planning committee member

Why the diaconate?  I have been involved with various ministries in the Church since I was a teenager. I felt God calling me to step outside of my comfort zone and take my desire to help others to a new level, to truly put myself out there using that desire to help other people and my life experiences to bring others and myself closer to God.

Vesting Priest: Msgr. Michael J. Walsh, pastor of St. James Parish

John Raymond Isaac

Resides: Hamilton Square

Ministering Parish: St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square

Place of birth/age: New York, N.Y.; 68

Family: Wife, Mary Ann Isaac; Parents, Jack and Rose Marie Isaac (both deceased); children, Christine Ann Isaac, 28, and Amy Rose Isaac (deceased)

Education: New Milford High School, New Milford (1964); Bergen Community College (A.A, degree, 1971); University of Maryland (B.A., Business, 1975); Lincoln Technical Institute (public managers certification, warranted contract officer U.S.G.S.A.) 

Employment: retired building manager for the State of New Jersey

Ministries: Knights of Columbus(various positions on the council, chapter assembly and district deputy level); through the Knights helped to organize the annual Right to Life bus trip to Washington, D.C. and annual pro-life baby shower; St. Francis soup kitchen in Trenton; currently serves on Diocesan Building Commission and the Diocesan Cathedral Square Committee; in St. Gregory the Great, serves as a lector

Why the diaconate? I was inspired to seek ordination as a deacon through prayer, the love and support of my parish family after the loss of my daughter, Amy, by inspiring comments of several colleagues, parishioners, deacons and my pastor, Father Trammell. My retirement has afforded me the opportunity of “time” to grow further in the Lord and to do his will in service. Finally, it is the continued love and support and prayer of my wife, Mary Ann, and family that has assisted me on this journey to serve the Lord. In the words of Blessed Teresa, “It is through prayer that the fruit of faith is strengthened. Through faith the fruit of love is nourished; love is transformed into the fruit of service and service for the Lord brings the gift of peace to our hearts.”

Vesting Priest: Father Ian Trammell, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish

Christian Knoebel

Resides: Jackson

Ministering Parish: St. Monica, Jackson

Place of birth/age: Greenwich, Conn.; 46

Family: Wife, Debra; Parents, Frederick and Linda Knoebel; children, Katherine, 15, and Margaret, 12

Education: Rye Neck High School, Mamaroneck, N.Y. (1986); Rutgers University, (B.S., Environmental Science, 1990); Pennsylvania State University (Master of Environmental Pollution Control, 1993)

Employment: general manager, Knoebel Digital, Manalapan

Ministries: lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, Knights of Columbus, parish website manager, visiting the sick in nursing homes, acolyte

Why the diaconate? It’s impossible to articulate. A number of desires to know and love God more, along with experience in parish ministry, led to a discussion with my parish priest which led to my discernment to be a deacon.

Vesting priest: Father John Bambrick, pastor of St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson

Sean McMahon

Resides: Medford Lakes

Ministering Parish: St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford

Place of birth/age: Philadelphia; 52

Family: Wife, Anne M. McMahon; Parents, Joseph and Joan (both deceased); children, Sean M., 24, Julia, 22, Annie, 18

Education: Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia (1979); Holy Family College, Philadelphia; Burlington County College

Employment: custodian, Lenape Regional High School District, Marlton

Ministries: Catechist, youth group leader, lector, sacristan, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Current ministries include Baptismal preparation and acolyte.

Why the diaconate? While serving God as a catechist and youth group leader, the Holy Spirit would inspire me to help the children learn and come closer to God in a way that they would understand. Seeing them have a deeper knowledge and understanding of God filled me with joy. Through this joy the Holy Spirit inspired me to continue to help others come closer to God on a larger scale as a deacon.

Vesting priest: Msgr. James H. Dubell, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish

 Daniel Sakowski

Resides: Freehold

Ministering Parish: St. Catherine of Siena, Farmingdale

Place of birth/age: South Amboy; 49

Family: Wife, Donna; Parents, Joseph Sakowski and Sharon Watson Pereira; children, Danielle, 16, Gabrielle, 14

Education: Matawan Regional High School (1983); Brookdale Community College (A.A., Liberal arts, 1991); Georgian Court University, Lakewood (B.S., Business Administration, 2007)

Employment: manager, global tax training,  AIG, New York, N.Y.

Ministries: Youth Ministry, Marriage Preparation, Religious Education, Altar Server Training

Why the diaconate? God’s presence in my life during Sept. 11, 2001. As a survivor of that day, my whole relationship with God changed forever. God also provided my wife, our children and myself with strength and courage and faith when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Through him and his Son Jesus Christ, with constant prayers to our Blessed Mother, we survived that dark time as well.

Vesting Priest: Msgr. Ralph Stansley, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, West Trenton

Steven A. Wagner

Resides: Manahawkin

Ministering Parish: St. Mary, Barnegat

Place of birth/ age: Flushing, N.Y.; 64

Family: Wife, Ruth S. Wagner; Parents, George A. Wagner (deceased) and Virginia E. Wagner; children, Timothy, 35, and Lauren, 30

Education: Plainview High School, Plainview, N.Y.; State University of New York (Associate Degree, Applied Science); Park College, Missouri (Business, Human Resources); Certificates and Honors in Technical Training (Summa Cum Laude)

Employment: retired acquisition officer, U.S. Army, Fort Monmouth

Ministries: Lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to the homebound and hospitalized; currently serves as an acolyte, in funeral ministry, sacristan, and RCIA support

Why the Diaconate? God’s calling is not an easy thing to discern. But when Ruth and I were called to become Catholics in 2005, I knew it was more than just attending weekly Mass. If God wanted me (us) to be in full communion with the Church then there had to be reasons that at the time were beyond my understanding. After meeting and speaking with other deacons, I began to realize that this type of ministry just might have been what God was calling me to. After four years of formation and training, I believe I am where God wants me to be.

Vesting Priest: Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, pastor, St. Mary Parish, Barnegat