The Diocese of Owensboro’s permanent deacon class of 2021. Back row, (left to right) Dcn. Bill Clark, Dcn. Tony Carmona, Dcn. T.J. Dennison. Front row (left to right) Dcn. John Knight, Dcn. Frank Bosh, Dcn. Gayle Rhodes, Dcn. Hal Jones. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC 

BY WKC STAFF

Editor’s note: On Sept. 11, 2021, Bishop William F. Medley ordained seven men to the permanent diaconate. Learn about them below. To find out more about the vocation to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Owensboro, visit owensborodiocese.org/permanent-diaconate.

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Dcn. Frank Bosh

Age: 54

Wife’s name: Jennifer

Children’s names: Robert and Kimberly

Home parish: St. Patrick Parish, Morristown, Tenn.

Occupation: Hydro Technician IV (Crew Lead/Responsible Employee)

Assigned parish: St. Patrick Parish, Morristown, Tenn.

His words: “Working with the Brescia University professors, my brothers and their wives is a very binding bond we all share. Experiencing the generosity of the parish priests and deacons who gave of their time without meter to form us into useful tools for the mission of Christ.  The yearly retreats are one of my and Jen’s best memories of formation. I am being ordained for Knoxville, Tenn., as I was transferred by my employer to that location.  It is only by an outpouring of love and kindness by Bishop Rick Sitka and Bishop William Medley that I am able to be ordained with my brothers in Owensboro. God bless them for such kindness.”

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Dcn. Tony Carmona

Age: 55

Wife’s name: Ana

Children’s names: Hannah, Daynnah and Leannah

Home parish: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Guthrie

Occupation: Retired Army veteran (served 23 years in the U.S. Army); currently working as a Knights of Columbus field agent for Kentucky and Tennessee

Assigned parish: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Guthrie

His words: “During my formation, one of my favorite highlights was meeting the other men in formation. Over the years, we have grown to be friends and spiritually connected. My prayer has been for Christ to help me feel in my heart all that he speaks to me and help me understand the direction of where my faith is taking me. I now comprehend and accept discernment during formation as a continuous journey of my faith. I strived, and still strive, to be a mensch man with a foundation of faith to serve where needed. Formation has taught me that I will be on a lifelong journey of learning and serving with a servant’s heart. In my life, there have been several defining moments, such as marriage, being a father, and joining the Army. It was a defining moment when I was accepted into deacon formation, and I began to change. I started my journey because of God and his grace. I learned more and grew in my faith with every rite and did it for God through his grace. As an ordained deacon, I am now on my journey with God and his grace. Like always, grace provides, and grace still continues to provide.”

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Dcn. Bill Clark

Age: 54

Wife’s name: Lisa

Children’s names: Andy, Katie and Benjamin

Home parish: St. John the Evangelist Parish, Paducah

Occupation: Environmental Science Specialist

Assigned parish: St. John the Evangelist Parish, Paducah

His words: “My favorite highlight of formation was when I went through the Rite of Acolyte. As I was going through the rite, I could really feel the Lord’s presence. I knew in my heart that he was touching me and I was on the path that he was leading me. I had such a feeling of peace and joy that is hard for me to adequately express. Being an acolyte has been an important part of my formation in the diaconate.  By serving as an acolyte at Mass, I learned so much that I need to know to perform the duties of a deacon. With Fr. Bruce Fogle’s help, I have come farther that I would have ever dreamed possible when I started serving at Mass. What I look forward to the most about being a permanent deacon, is serving the people of St. John. This is what it means to me to be a deacon, to be a servant of God’s people and helping them in any way that I can. This is my pledge to the people of St. John.”

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Dcn. T.J. Dennison

Age: 42

Wife’s name: Kimberly

Children’s names: Hattie

Home parish: St. Joseph Parish, Leitchfield

Occupation: Currently employed by the Grayson County Property Valuation Administrator’s Office, as well as by St. Joseph (Leitchfield) and St. John the Evangelist (Sunfish) Parishes as a pastoral associate 

Assigned parish: St. Joseph Parish, Leitchfield; and St. John the Evangelist Parish, Sunfish

His words: “After ordination, I will continue my ministry as pastoral associate for St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist Parishes. In addition to several administrative responsibilities and assisting with the preparation and celebration of parish liturgies, I am also the coordinator of the RCIA and the director of all adult faith formation programs. I will also be providing pastoral care and support for individuals suffering from illness, grief, and spiritual crisis. Throughout my formation I have come to a deeper understanding of what the diaconate is all about. In 2021, the world is in tumult in so many ways. And we are sent into a world not of our own construct or wishful thinking, but a world in need of the healing touch of Christ himself. With the insight of the Holy Spirit, the heart of a servant, and deep humility, we can be attentive to these wounds and to the suffering of those around us. As deacons, we are called to walk with God’s people by standing in their midst and listening attentively, lovingly, and seeking always to understand. This means a willingness to share in their joys and hopes, their doubts and fears, and their sorrows and anguish, giving special attention to those who are poor or afflicted in any way. In short, it is our mission to bind wounds with the salve of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the gaze of charity, and the tenderness of our genuine care.”

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Dcn. Hal Jones

Age: 60

Wife’s name: Lynn

Children’s names: Eva Alicia, Helena Marie and Hanan Marshall

Home parish: St. Jude Parish, Clinton

Occupation: Farmer in Hickman County, Ky

Assigned parish: St. Jude Parish, Clinton; St. Edward Parish, Fulton; and Sacred Heart Parish, Hickman

His words: “I have taught and will continue to teach RCIA. I have performed this ministry with other members of our tri-parish team for 10 years. I am also the sacristan for St. Jude. I assume that I will preach on a rotation and assist with whatever other functions that arise in our parishes. I have most enjoyed getting to know the other deacon candidates over the last four and a half years. We have developed friendships that I look forward to enjoying for the rest of my life. Though difficult at times, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn more about the Bible and the theology of our faith from the courses that we received from Brescia University. I have enjoyed the priests, professors and others who have assisted me in my coursework. I especially enjoyed our pre-ordination retreat that we attended at St. Meinrad, Ind. This was a blessed event and I encourage all in our diocese to take a retreat there. I look forward to being a deacon and helping to further Christ’s kingdom through work with the community of believers.”

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Dcn. John Knight

Age: 54

Wife’s name: Elizabeth

Children’s names: Matt and Kristen

Home parish: Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Henderson

Occupation: IT Infrastructure Services Director, Old National Bank

Assigned parish: Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Henderson

His words: “My favorite highlight of formation is the camaraderie that the seven of us gained in our formation meetings on the weekend at Mount Saint Joseph’s and our weekly meetings online through the Brescia University academic program. As deacon candidates, we formed as a family during the past five years and I am looking at continuing to stay in contact with each other. At my parish, I look forward in helping my pastor and my Church in any way that the church needs. I look forward in helping with visiting the homebound, those in the hospital, nursing homes, and helping with the hospice ministry. In addition, I look forward in continuing to help with the RCIA team and beginning a group for morning prayer with the Liturgy of the Hours.”

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Dcn. Gayle Rhodes

Age: 64

Wife’s name: Ada

Children’s names: Amanda, Michelle, Jennifer, Diana, Logan, Lauren and Jackson

Home parish: Grew up attending St. Lawrence Parish in Philpot; current home parish is Sts. Joseph and Paul Parish in Owensboro

Occupation: Physician specializing in Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Assigned parish: Christ the King Parish, Madisonville

His words: “A highlight of formation was getting to know a group of men who longed to serve God. We began with 14 and ended with seven but all contributed to my formation and discernment as a deacon.  Another highlight was the academics which began with philosophy and the importance of developing a worldview and taking a stance on major issues based on an informed conscience. My favorite theology classes were the history of the Church and the monumental men and women who shaped it, and the study of the Bible; its origins, authors and historical settings. Understanding the history of the Church and knowing the stance of the Church on major issues in the modern world is important for the ministry of the deacon. The in-depth study of the Old and New Testaments brought the scriptures to life and instilled in me the desire to proclaim the word. Hopefully these studies will help me make the Church and scriptures that have been around for centuries relevant to our lives today. I look forward to getting to know the people of my assigned parish, ministering to their needs and walking the journey of faith with them.”

Originally printed in the October 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.