Bishop David Zubik to Ordain 17 Permanent Deacons in Diocese of Pittsburgh

(Pittsburgh, PA) Bishop David A. Zubik will ordain 17 men as permanent deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh.

Seating will be by ticket only; however, the Mass will be livestreamed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGuxQc9lww8 and on the Diocesan YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxi7e8bgFgZ7hvy78qciWyQ.  It will also be broadcast on Christian Associates Television (Comcast Channel  95 City of Pittsburgh) and streams on the Christian Associates website as well http://christianassociatestv.org/. 

The 17 candidates come from throughout the diocese: 12 from Allegheny County, 2 from Beaver County, 2 from Butler County, and 1 from Lawrence County. All but one of the men is married. They come from a variety of careers and professional backgrounds, including higher education, engineering, medicine, accounting, banking, sales, dentistry, human resources, research, and other facets of business.  Four of the men are converts to Catholicism.

As ordained ministers of the Catholic Church, Deacons assist priests at Mass, preach on occasion, and preside as needed at baptisms, weddings, funeral services, and other liturgical functions.

They also help provide pastoral care to people in hospitals and nursing homes, jails and prisons, and various other settings, sharing the faith by word and example. 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.”

Deacon Stephen J. Byers, director of the Deacon Formation Program and the Office for Deacon Personnel, says, “It has been a profound joy to walk with these men throughout the formation program and to witness their growth with the help and assistance of so many dedicated individuals who have been a part of their journey.”

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 2022:

Bruce D. Beaver, Ph.D., Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Carbon Center/Chicora/North Oakland
He is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Duquesne University. He and his wife, Gina, have two sons and a daughter. In the parish, he serves as a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and member of Pastoral Council and the Knights of Columbus.

Stephen J. Cafaro, Saints Martha and Mary Parish, Hampton/Richland
He is a regional sales manager for ZimVie Inc., a manufacturer of dental implants, surgical and biologic solutions. He and his wife, Elaine, have two daughters and a son. In the parish, he serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, acolyte, Baptism instructor, and member of the men’s prayer group.

Blaine J. Carnprobst, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Observatory Hill/Perrysville/Ross/West View
Mr. Carnprobst is a senior vice president/receivables product advisor for PNC Bank. He and his wife, Mary, have two daughters and two sons. In the parish, he serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, acolyte, substitute catechist, and member of the Finance Council.

Eric S. Collier, Holy Family Parish, Oakmont/Plum/Verona
Mr. Collier works as a pastoral associate for Holy Family Parish. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons and a daughter. In the parish, he serves as an acolyte, lector, sacristan, RCIA catechist, trainer of altar servers, and member of the Catholic Men’s Fellowship.

Jason C. Corsetti, Divine Redeemer Parish, Aleppo/Sewickley
Mr. Corsetti is vice president of the Awards and Recognition Division of Moderne Glass Company, Inc. He and his wife, Shea, have two daughters. In the parish, he serves as a lector, fifth grade catechist, EDGE middle school catechist and Confirmation catechist. 

Michael J. Gatto, St. John XXIII Parish, Finleyville/Jefferson Hills/Peters
He is a manager for Ineo Global Mobility, a software company that provides specialized tax services. He and his wife, Cheryl, have a daughter and a son. In the parish, he serves as a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and altar server.

Brian W. Kail, Ph.D., Blessed Trinity Parish, Brentwood/Hays/South Pittsburgh
Dr. Kail works as a laboratory manager for Battelle Memorial Institute, which provides engineering, consulting and project management services for infrastructure projects. He and his wife, Joanna, are the parents of four children. His parish activities include serving as a sacristan, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, altar server, and substitute catechist.

Michael P. Kaufman, All Saints Parish, Butler/Center/Lyndora/Meridian
Mr. Kaufman is employed as supervisor for care in the community for the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department in Butler. He and his wife Jayni, have a daughter. In the parish, he serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, altar server, and lector.

Kevin M. Lewis, St. John XXIII Parish, Finleyville/Jefferson Hills/Peters
Mr. Lewis is the automated people mover chief engineer for Alstom, a company that manufactures and services high-speed trains, metros, and monorail and tram systems. He and his wife, Diane, have three daughters. In the parish, he serves as a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, RCIA instructor, and member of the Knights of Columbus and Parish Picnic Committee.

Mark A. Marvenko, Mary, Queen of Saints Parish, Aliquippa/Center/Hopewell/Monaca
Mr. Marvenko is director of human resources for All Lines Technology Inc, which provides IT managed services, software development, IT staffing and help desk consulting as well as other technology-related services. He is retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service.  He and his wife, Renee, have three sons. In the parish, he serves as an acolyte, lector, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

David T. McLaughlin, Saint Matthew Parish, Etna/Glenshaw/Millvale/Reserve Township
Mr. McLaughlin retired in 2019 from BNY Mellon after 37 years. He and his wife, Gail, have three sons and a daughter. In the parish, he serves as a sacristan, lector, altar server, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and 6th grade catechist.

Douglas K. Nelson, D.Sc., St. Kilian Parish, Adams/Cranberry Townships
Dr. Nelson is an associate professor and director of the MBA program at Seton Hill University. He and his wife, Ellen, have a son and a daughter. In the parish, he serves as a sacristan, lector, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He also lectors at daily Masses at Seton Hill.

Joseph E. Ross, DMD, Holy Spirit Parish, Lawrence County
Dr. Ross is self-employed as a dentist in New Castle. He is single and has never been married. In the parish, he is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, substitute sacristan and altar server, member of the Worship Committee, and master of ceremonies for the parish festival.

Joseph A. Samchuck, Mary, Queen of Saints Parish, Aliquippa/Center/Hopewell/Monaca
Mr. Samchuck is a chemist and data validation manager for Tetra Tech, a company that provides consulting, engineering, program and construction management, and technical services with a focus on water, environment, infrastructure, and energy clients. He and his wife, Terri, have a daughter. His parish activities include serving as a lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, altar server, and catechist.

Brett M. Schurter, Saint Luke the Evangelist, Franklin Park/Marshall Township
Mr. Schurter serves as vice president of AAA—Auto Club of Southern California; as such, he oversees membership operations and human resources policies and proceedings. He and his wife, Kathleen, have a son and a daughter. In the parish, he is involved as a sacristan, lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and in marriage enrichment ministry.

Rick J. Sumrok, M.D., Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Bairdford/Russellton
Dr. Sumrok is an emergency medicine physician at Punxsutawney Hospital. He and his wife, Vanessa, have two daughters and a son. In the parish, he is involved as a lector and altar server. He also assists as a sacristan and at baptisms and funerals.

J. Russell White, Resurrection Parish, Bethel Park/Upper St. Clair
Mr. White is a program manager for Key Logic Systems, a federal government subcontractor primarily supporting the Department of Energy. He and his wife, Cathy, have three daughters and a son; another son died in infancy. His parish ministries include serving as an acolyte, lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, sacristan, project leader for the Appalachian Mission Team, and fish fry coordinator.

These men have been engaged in the Diocesan Formation Program since 2017. Formation involves an intensive program of course work, personal and spiritual development, and practical experience in pastoral ministry.


There are currently 95 permanent deacons in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The first class was ordained in 1974.

Photos, bios and more information about the diaconate program are available at: https://diopitt.org/2022-diaconate.