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Bishop David Zubik to Ordain Eight Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Pittsburgh
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June 11, 2020Bishop David A. Zubik will ordain eight men as permanent deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh.
Deacons are ordained ministers of the Catholic Church with a special calling to perform works of charity and service, proclaim the word of God and assist in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church. Permanent deacons coordinate what is typically part-time ministry with job and family responsibilities.
“These men have been deeply immersed in the diocesan Deacon Formation Program for more than five years,” Bishop Zubik said.
“The process has helped them discern their vocation to this ministry, deepen their relationship with the Lord, and model their lives on Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve.
“Their ministry is needed more than ever during this challenging time for the Church,” Bishop Zubik said. “It is a tremendous witness of discipleship.”
The ministry of deacons dates back to the earliest days of the Church. The New Testament recounts that, when faced with the need for help in caring for the practical well-being of the faithful, the apostles prayed and designated certain men for special service to the community.
Members of the Deacon Class of 2020:- Frank C. Bursic, 61, is a member of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish in Monroeville/Penn Hills/ Pitcairn. He and his wife, Karen, have three adult children and a granddaughter. Bursic is a global energy consultant and partner with InRoads International LLC.
- Jeffrey P. Formica, 59, is from St. Michael Parish in the Elizabeth/Glassport/South Allegheny Area grouping. He and his wife, Susan, are parents of four adult children. Formica is an engineer with Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC.
- Joseph F. Kralik, Jr., 56. He and his wife, Barbara, belong to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Parish in the Bethel Park/South Park/Whitehall grouping. Kralik is a national key account director- government for Essity HMS North America, Inc.
- Paul C. Lim, 43, belongs to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in the Green Tree/Carnegie/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are parents of four children ages 10 to 3. Lim is a licensed social worker and hospital care management director at UPMC St. Margaret.
- John T. Mayer, 56, is from Our Lady of Grace Parish in the Mt. Lebanon/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Laura, are parents of three adult children. Mayer is a sales engineer with Chem-Aqua.
- Scott S. Potter, Ph.D., 59, is a member of St. Bernard Parish in the Mt. Lebanon/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Heidi, are parents of six children, including Father Adam Potter, and have a granddaughter. Potter is a systems engineer at General Dynamic Mission Systems.
- Eric C. Schorr, 59, is from St. Bernard Parish in the Mt. Lebanon/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Maureen, are parents of three adult children. Schorr is an accountant with American Zinc Recycling.
- James D. Shope, 58, belongs to St. Andrew Parish in the Butler Area grouping. He and his wife, Carol, have two adult children. Shope is an executive program manager with the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
The Deacon Formation Program consists of academic training in theology, scripture, canon law, ecclesiology, homiletics and other relevant topics, as well as intense personal, spiritual and pastoral development.
Following ordination, Bishop Zubik will assign the new deacons with an emphasis on their ministry of sacrament, word, and service and charity. As ministers of the word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach and teach. As ministers of the sacraments, they baptize, witness marriages, and lead the faithful in prayer, such as at wake and funeral services.
As ministers of charity, deacons are called to identify the needs of others, then gather the church’s resources to help meet those needs.
“Humble, loving service is at the core of a deacon’s identity; that’s what we are called to do in our ministry,” said Deacon Stephen Byers, director of the Deacon Formation Program. “What a joy it is to welcome these men into the diaconate.”
The Diocese of Pittsburgh currently has 94 permanent deacons, 85 of whom serve in active ministry in the diocese. Another 29 men are in formation to become deacons. Bishop Zubik is expected to call for another deacon class to begin the application process this year.
The Catholic Church has about 46,000 permanent deacons worldwide, with more than 18,000 serving in the United States.
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EDITORS: Bishop Zubik and deacons will be available for photos, video and interviews on the cathedral’s main steps facing Fifth Avenue following the ordination Mass at approximately 12 noon Saturday.
Because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and safe distancing requirements, admission to the ordination is limited to invited, ticketed guests only. The ordination will be live-streamed at http://christianassociatestv.org.
Download high-resolution photos of each of the men to be ordained:
