Five seminarians of the Diocese of Trenton will begin the final leg of their journey toward the priesthood when they are ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, May 19 at 10 a.m.

Ordination as a transitional deacon generally occurs after a seminarian has completed at least three years of study in theology and takes place usually one year prior to priestly ordination. As deacons, they will be ordinary ministers of Baptism, and will be able to preside at weddings, assist the priest at Mass, proclaim the Gospel and preach, as well as preside at wakes and funeral services.

While permanent deacons may be married at the time they receive Holy Orders, the unmarried man who seeks to be ordained a deacon makes a promise of celibacy.

 This year’s class of transitional deacons includes Carlos Aguirre, Jorge Bedoya, Garry Koch, Juan Camilo Perez and Juan Gabriel Rojas.

Following are brief profiles of each candidate for ordination:

Carlos Aguirre

When Carlos Aguirre reflects on the circumstances that set him on the road to the priesthood, he remembers very happy memories and difficult ones too.

The happiest memories focus on his large and close family – he’s the youngest of eight siblings – and a childhood centered on faith thanks to his devout parents, Carmen and Tulia. The difficult moments are related to a devastating earthquake in 1999 that destroyed Armenia – Quindio, the Colombian city he was born and grew up in.

Aguirre, 31, who will be ordained a transitional deacon May 19 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, still recalls those dark days after the earthquake. Only with “the help of God and my family,” he said, “was I able to overcome the difficulties and move on with my life.”

During that perilous time, he said, “the Holy Roman Catholic Church played a very important role in my city and of course in my life by helping the people with spiritual, moral and economic assistance. It was at this moment that my admiration and respect for the work of priests became even stronger.”

Two months after the earthquake, he started helping in his parish as a reader and sacristan. At the same time, he began his vocational discernment process with the help of his pastor, Father Alexy Roldan Pino, and the Most Rev. Roberto Lopez Londono, bishop of the Diocese of Armenia.

“These two disciples of the Lord inspired me to make the courageous decision of becoming a priest,” he said.

Prior to entering the seminary, he had embarked on studies for a medical career but by 2002, he felt called to the priesthood and entered the seminary in Armenia. There he studied philosophy for two years. He transferred to St. John Eudes Seminary in Jerico Antioquia and went on to complete his philosophy studies in 2005.

Admitted to theology studies in 2006, the ministry of Lector was conferred on him by Bishop Roberto Lopez in 2007 and in 2008, he met with Father Javier Diaz, then the director of Hispanic ministry in the Trenton diocese and Bishop John M. Smith to discuss the possibility of continuing his studies here.

He arrived in the U.S. in October, 2008 and entered Immaculate Conception Seminary in Seton Hall University, South Orange, in January, 2010, where he continued his theological studies.

“Being (in the U.S.), I got to notice the universality of the Church, a Church that is not formed by one culture or language but for many, creating a diversity of cultures which enrich the Church, united under one same faith in Jesus Christ,” he said.

Just completing his third year of theology in Seton Hall, Aguirre sees his upcoming ordination into the transitional diaconate, where Father Dennis Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, will vest him, as a gift from God.

“The time (I have spent) in this place has been a great blessing for my academic, pastoral and spiritual formation,” he said. “Here I have had the opportunity to open my heart and be led by the example of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.”

He very much views coming to the Trenton Diocese as answering a call from God to minister to people in the United States. “I want to be part of the mission that the Church in America is involved in.”

Jorge Bedoya

For the longest time, Jorge Bedoya resisted the idea of a vocation to the priesthood. That’s because he wanted to be a journalist instead. And he did everything he could to make that happen.

After graduating from high school, the native Colombian pursued his passion for “the press” by enrolling in the Universidad de Antioquia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2004.

But it was also in college when, “in spite of my stubbornness,” thoughts of the priesthood resurfaced. Bedoya was invited by Father Ignacio Alvarez, a priest of the Archdiocese of Medellin, Colombia, and teacher in the Pontifical Faculty of Theology, to work with him on a radio program. Over time, the two became good friends and Bedoya began looking to Father Alvarez for spiritual direction. 

“We spent a lot of time talking about my family and my career,” said Bedoya. “Eventually, we talked about theology, the Church, and sometimes vocations.”

During one conversation Bedoya asked Father Alvarez “if he thought that I could have a vocation to the priesthood.” The priest responded that he “saw signs” that he did.

“It was after that conversation that I decided to go to the seminary and become a priest,” said Bedoya, who is the son of David Bedoya and Lucia Marin. His siblings include a sister, Carmen Lucia, 36, and two brothers, David Alonso, 35, and Juan Felipe, 30.

Bedoya attended the Seminario Conciliar San Juan Eudes for three years from 2005 to 2008. But then, he experienced another shift in gears, only this time it was cultural. He met Bishop John M. Smith who had traveled to Medellin with several native Colombian priests who were serving in the Diocese of Trenton, and “Bishop Smith asked me to continue my formation in the Diocese of Trenton,” Bedoya said.

Bedoya arrived in New Jersey with two other Colombian seminarians, and they took up residence in Sacred Heart House of Formation, Trenton, where they had an opportunity to learn English, adapt to American culture and learn about their new diocese.

Along with his seminary studies in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, Bedoya has also gained a wealth of ministry experience in the United States. In the Trenton Diocese, he served summer parish assignments in Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, and Jesus, the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside. As a transitional deacon, he will be assigned to St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton.

“Besides the challenges of learning new theological concepts in another language, along with the academic papers and exams, there is nothing comparable with my pastoral experience,” Bedoya said, noting that it was a privilege to be with parishioners in their time of need, whether they were grieving the loss of a loved one or a job or were struggling with their faith in God.

“There have been joyful moments” as well, Bedoya said – seeing the smiles of young children as they receive their first Eucharist, young people studying in the RCIA program and meeting parishioners each weekend at Mass.

The 33-year-old Bedoya views his transitional diaconate ordination as his “point of entry to clerical life.”

Noting that Father Alvarez will serve as his vesting priest, Bedoya added: “For me the diaconate is the beginning of an amazing ministry in which I commit my life to the love of God and the service of the people.”

Garry Koch

Perhaps best recognized as a teacher in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, or, as the Scripture columnist for The Monitor, Garry Koch’s pursuit of a priestly vocation may not be widely known. 

But as his ordination to the transitional diaconate approaches May 19, the 54-year-old Koch reveals that his pursuit of a priestly vocation began decades ago following his graduation from Allentown Catholic High School, Allentown, Pa.  He had progressed through seminary studies and was on his way to being ordained a transitional deacon when he detoured down a different path in life.

He observed that his “journey to the priesthood has been reignited and it is my profound desire that I can contribute in a positive way to that life through priestly ministry.”

Born Sept. 10, 1957, in Allentown, Koch is the son of Phyllis and the late Richard Koch and brother of Lauren Van Wey.

Koch began his studies for the priesthood in St. Pius X Seminary, Dalton, Pa., and he received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Scranton in 1979. He then attended Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, Pa., where he earned a master of divinity degree in 1982.

Shortly before he would have been ordained a transitional deacon, Koch left the seminary, and instead, accepted a teaching position at Christian Brothers Academy, which marked his arrival to the Diocese of Trenton.

During his tenure at CBA, Koch welcomed the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in theology, earning a doctor of ministry degree from Graduate Theological Foundation in 1992. He was also asked to teach in the diocesan permanent diaconate formation program, which he said had a profound impact on his own vocation experience.

Two years ago, Koch gave up his teaching career and once again, answered the call to a priestly vocation. He entered Immaculate Conception Seminary,  Seton Hall University, South Orange, where he will earn a master’s degree in ecclesiastical history.

Admitting that seminary life today is “much different” than it was years ago, Koch spoke of the many seminarians, who, like him, are mature and bring with them varied life and work experiences to their vocation. He also noted the significant number of international students pursuing studies as well.

One highlight for seminarian Koch occurred last year when he served a summer assignment in Assumption Parish, New Egypt. Not only was the parish a “vibrant and growing community,” Koch also appreciated the opportunity to minister with Father Joseph Farrell, pastor, a priest whom Koch has known for more than 20 years and regards as a “great friend and mentor.” Father Farrell will be Koch’s vesting priest on transitional diaconate ordination day.

“Diaconate is a ministry unto itself and, having worked so long with the permanent deacons, I am now looking forward to sharing ministry with them,” Koch said.

 While the transitional diaconate is a step along the journey to priesthood, Koch said, “the emphasis here is on ‘deacon,’ not ‘transitional.’”

Koch continued: “The opportunity to preach and to be present to people in a profound ministerial way is of great importance in this ministry.”

Juan Camilo Perez

Just before Juan Camilo Perez was interviewed for an article on his upcoming transitional diaconate ordination for The Monitor, he was in a seminary class which required him to be videotaped celebrating a “practice Mass.”

Now gearing up for his transitional diaconate ordination on May 19, Perez said that during the videotaping as he was saying the words and prayers of the liturgy, he couldn’t help but think that in a year from now, he will be ordained a priest and celebrating Mass “for real.”

“I am excited because I’m giving myself to the Lord,” said Perez.

Perez smiled when he spoke about his journey to the priesthood. Though he said he doesn’t remember as far back, Perez said that his mother often tells of how he used to “play priest” as a little kid and, with props, would pretend to celebrate Mass.

While Perez admitted that it’s possible that the seed for a vocation to the priesthood had been planted in him at an early age, what he clearly does know is that he was a 17-year-old high school student when he realized that he did indeed want to devote his life to God as a priest. His desire was further fostered by the energy of the “young priest” who served in his parish as well as his own involvement in various ministries as an altar server, acolyte, reader and with the music ministry.

Though the 30-year-old Perez, who was born in Medellin, Colombia, pursued studies in philosophy in Pontificia Bolivariana University, his actual seminary studies did not begin until he arrived in New Jersey. He was initially invited by the vocation director in the Paterson Diocese to begin preparation for the priesthood in 2007, but a year later, he transferred to the Trenton Diocese.

“I was happy to be in the United States because I have family here as well as in Colombia,” said Perez, who is the son of Mario Perez and Luz Amparo Henao, and brother of: Felipe, 34; Miguel, 26; Alejandro, 24; Julian, 19, and Sara, 17.

Perez had to contend with a lot by the time he entered Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange, in January, 2009. Besides adapting to his new seminary environment, he found his studies difficult since he knew very little English.

“It was very hard for me,” he said of his early experience of seminary life. “I was thinking about leaving the seminary because it was getting to be too much.”

But it was during a visit to the seminary chapel in the middle of the night that led Perez to have a change of heart and mind.

“I sat there and I cried and I prayed,” he said. “And as I prayed, I felt the Lord assuring me that he would be with me. I continued to stay here and I came to love everything about it.”

In addition to his studies, Perez has had two parish assignments that offered him well-rounded opportunities to learn about parish life. At Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, he was grateful to live in the House of Priestly Formation where he interacted with other seminarians, was able to study English, and work with Father Dennis Apoldite, pastor, who taught him much about the workings of a parish. 

Perez found Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, West Trenton, to be bustling with opportunities in which he was involved with visiting the sick, attending wake services and working in the parish office with Msgr. Ralph Stansley, pastor.

Msgr. Gregory D. Vaughan, diocesan vicar general and director of vocations will be Perez’s vesting priest at ordination.

Juan Gabriel Rojas

Ask Juan Gabriel Rojas what drew him to the United States to prepare for the priesthood and the answer is clear, faithful and direct.

“God’s providence!”

As Rojas sees it, providence had a direct hand in bringing him to the Trenton Diocese from his Colombian homeland. For it is here that Rojas, who will be ordained a transitional deacon May 19 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, says he will be able to serve God in a multicultural setting, something which greatly appeals to him.

The parish experience he’s already had in St. Catharine, Holmdel, confirms, he said, the sense that he made a wise decision to come here. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful community,” he said during a recent interview. “The (parishioners) mean so much to me. It’s been a blessing to get to know the community and feel loved … in my ministry.”

Rojas was born in Betulia, Colombia 25 years ago to Jorge Rojas and Limbania Hernandez. One of six children in a devout family – his siblings are Dora Yanet, 30, Jorge Mario, 29, Pablo Cesar, 24, David Alejandro, 17, and Daniel Salomon, 15, he recalls a supportive and warm childhood.

He describes the beginning of his call to vocation as something that occurred during childhood. “All my life, I wanted to be a priest,” he said. “I probably didn’t know what it meant in the beginning. When I enjoyed conducting ‘Mass’ in the backyard as a child, it was more of a game.

“But somewhere in my heart, I always wanted to be a priest.”

His family and the religious sisters who ran the public elementary school he attended encouraged his call. He found his years as an altar server, which began at age seven, truly inspiring. “I stayed an altar server until seminary and valued the example of the priests, missionaries and sisters who were part of my childhood.”

He commenced his studies for the priesthood in 1996 in San Eudes Seminary where he studied philosophy and theology. In 2007, he said, “providence” directed his attention toward Mundelein Seminary in Chicago where he completed his master of divinity degree and a bachelor of sacred theology.

Rojas describes his years of study there as a “great and wonderful experience,” but in the end, conversations with a friend preparing for the priesthood in the Trenton Diocese struck chords he could not ignore.

He enrolled in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, in 2010 to complete a licentiate degree in Sacred Theology.

Along the way, he said, he has been grateful for the prayers and support of “countless people. So many people were involved in (my) process to the altar….the (Colombian) parishes that adopted us (as seminarians) and helped us with financial support.”

He spoke with admiration and respect for Father Scott Hebden, his spiritual director in Chicago; Father John Boivin, his vesting priest when he’s ordained to the transitional diaconate, who introduced him to baseball and theater and American cultural life in general, and Msgr. Eugene M. Rebeck, pastor of St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, where he continues to serve after ordination.

“Msgr. Rebeck is a role model of a priest,” he said. “He’s a friend, he’s a great guy.”

Compiled by Mary Stadnyk | News Editor and Lois Rogers | Features Editor