Archbishop Weisenburger to ordain Joseph Jones, John Kovacik and John Rybski to holy orders after years of prayer and study
DETROIT — Three men who have spent years studying and prayerfully preparing will be ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Detroit this weekend.
Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger will ordain Joseph Jones, John Kovacik and John Rybiski at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, during a solemn Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
The three men will be ordained to carry out their diaconate ministry for the service of God’s people in the Archdiocese of Detroit, both at the altar and in ministries of Christian charity, spiritual formation and parish ministry. Their parish assignments will be announced at the time of the ordination Mass.
In-person attendance at the ordination Mass is by invitation only, but all are welcome to watch the Mass via livestream at aod.org/livemasses.
Get to know a little more about the Archdiocese of Detroit's three soon-to-be new deacons:
Joseph Jones
Joseph Jones, 57, of Macomb, is a parishioner at St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish on Detroit's east side. A convert to the Catholic faith, Jones brings 29 years of invaluable experience in Christian ministerial service as a former Pentecostal Protestant minister.
Born in Detroit, Jones attended Notre Dame Prep High School and graduated in 1985. He attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1991. He and his wife, Bianca, have three adult children: Alexes, Joseph and Bethanye. He works as president and CEO or Visions Consultants, LLC.
Jones views his vocation to the diaconate as an answer to God’s call to serve the Church and wider community.
“We are emboldened by the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission and testimony of Jesus Christ, in all that we do, and to show the image of Jesus to everyone we encounter,” Jones said. “My experience and journey of being a Pentecostal Protestant minister and coming into full communion with the Catholic Church has instilled a desire to further serve Christ’s Church and evangelize the singularity of the Body of Christ to all of God’s people.”
Jones served his parish internship at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Parish in Warren, under the supervision of Deacon Stan Avery.
In his spare time, Jones enjoys reading, research, sports and puzzles.
John Kovacik
John Kovacik, 51, of Macomb, first felt called to the Church in 2012 when he inquired about becoming Catholic. He asked his now-wife, Bernadette — then, only an acquaintance — to be his sponsor.
“Little did I know that by asking (her) that one day we would be here on the precipice of being ordained as a deacon couple,” Kovacik said. “Now, here we are, Mom, Dad and 3-year-old Noah, ready to take our next step as a family to serve the Lord and His Church.”
Originally from Farmington Hills, Kovacik attended Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Macomb, graduating in 1991. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1995, followed by his J.D. in 2001 from Wayne State University. He currently works as a litigation manager at Sedgwick.
Kovacik volunteered as an RCIA coordinator for eight years, witnessing Jesus’ teachings to converts as he once experienced himself. He hopes to continue this witness as a deacon.
“My vision of ministry as a deacon revolves around living daily as a witness of Jesus’ teachings: that entails being a humble servant, embodying Christian virtues, promoting unity, supporting the pastor and church leaders and reaching out to the brothers and sisters in need,” Kovacik said.
Kovacik served his parish internship at St. Michael Parish in Sterling Heights, under the supervision of Deacon Franz Hoffer.
In his spare time, he enjoys music, reading, sports — especially U of M football — and anything that he can do with his toddler, Noah.
John Rybski
John Rybski, 64, was born in Detroit and now lives in Holly with his wife Judy.
He graduated from Bishop Borgess High School in Redford in 1979. He and Judy have three adult children: John (Mary), Evan, and Beth. Rybski is a general manager for Belfor Property Restoration.
Rybski first heard the call to the diaconate 10 years ago while on a mission trip in the Appalachian Mountains with his daughter, Beth.
“At the start of my discernment process, I held the idea privately in my heart for fear it would take too much time away from my family,” Rybski said. “After several years of pondering God’s call, Judy, the one I was trying to protect, suggested I consider becoming a deacon. Ironically, I heard the voice of God speaking to me through the love of my life. What I have come to realize is that our love for the Lord pours into the love we have for each other … it strengthens us. Together we have come to the abundant, merciful love of God.”
Rybski served his internship year at Holy Family Parish in Novi, under the supervision of Deacon Bob Ervin, where he and his wife have become active in parish life. In his spare time, he enjoys boating, traveling, home remodeling and spending time with family and friends.
His vocation to the diaconate is rooted in “the heart of the Church’s mission” to proclaim the Gospel and serve the poor and marginalized, which Rybski has done faithfully through his role as an active member of the Knights of Columbus and through volunteer work at the Pope Francis Center, Better Way Detroit, Henry Ford Hospital and Motor City Mission.
“One of the great honors of this calling is to serve as the bridge between the clergy and the laity, and between the church and the world,” Rybski said. “Every time I stand at the altar, I carry with me the prayers, the struggles, the burdens of each of you. I lay them before the Lord, trusting in his mercy and grace. And when I leave the altar, I carry something back with me, the Word of God and the hope of the Gospel. In all things, I strive to be a humble servant, reminding others and myself that in serving one another, we truly serve Christ.”
