Detroit– Archbishop Allen Vigneron celebrated Mass on April 29 in the chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary for the permanent deacons of the Archdiocese of Detroit who are celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination. The Mass was followed by a dinner for the deacons and their wives.

This year’s jubilarians include five members of the first ordination class of 13 permanent deacons ordained in 1972, who are celebrating 40 years. Also celebrating milestone anniversaries are four marking 35 years, five celebrating 30 years, three observing 25 years, and seven marking 20 years. There are also five 10-year and 14 five-year jubilarians.

40 years

Dcn. Richard Conlin, senior status
Dcn. Rafael Rivera, deacon emeritus, St. Damien of Molokai, Pontiac
Dcn. Brigido Rodriguez, deacon emeritus, St. Damien of Molokai, Pontiac
Dcn. Jesus Vasquez, deacon emeritus, St. Damien of Molokai, Pontiac
Dcn. Archie Noon, senior status

35 years

Dcn. Wesley Cousino, deacon emeritus, St. Joseph, Erie
Dcn. James Gennette, deacon emeritus, SS. Cyril and Methodius, Sterling Heights
Dcn. Michael Ingels, deacon emeritus, St. Mary, Monroe
Dcn. Lawrence Sullivan, senior status, Sacred Heart, Roseville

30 years

Dcn. Ronald Channell, St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Clair Shores
Dcn. Douglas Jackson Jr., St. Cecilia, Detroit
Dcn. Wilhelm Kessler, St. Louise de Marillac, Warren
Dcn. Paul Pelchat, senior status
Dcn. Charles Skubick, senior status

25 years

Dcn. Robert DeWitt, Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights
Dcn. Anthony Morici, St. Lawrence, Utica
Dcn. Joseph Mouro, senior status

20 years

Dcn. Valere Buyle, St. Hubert, Harrison Twp.
Dcn. John Connors, Holy Trinity, Port Huron
Dcn. James Igoe, deacon emeritus, St. Richard, Westland
Dcn. William Jamieson, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods
Dcn. Richard Shubik, St. Paul on the Lake, Grosse Pointe Farms
Dcn. William Thome, Our Lady of the Angels, Taylor
Dcn. Arthur Van Brook, deacon emeritus, Holy Spirit, Highland

10 years

Dcn. Andrew Fairbanks, St. Vincent Ferrer, Madison Heights
Dcn. Kenneth Fry, Our Lady of Victory, Northville
Dcn. Steven Mitchell, St. Joseph the Worker, Lake Orion
Dcn. Robert Schwartz, Guardian Angels, Clawson
Dcn. Kenneth Trabbic, St. Stephen, New Boston

5 years

Dcn. Thomas Avery, National Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak
Dcn. John Burke, St. Theodore of Canterbury, Westland
Dcn. Jerome Campernel, St. John Vianney, Shelby Twp.
Dcn. George Cousino, St. Joseph, Maybee
Dcn. C. Robert Dreyer, St. Patrick, White Lake
Dcn. Robert Gajda, St. Perpetua, Waterford
Dcn. Franz Hoffer, St. Ronald, Clinton Twp.
Dcn. Scott LaForest, St. Mary, Rockwood
Dcn. Glenn Melenyk, St. James, Novi
Dcn. Paul Mueller, Corpus Christi, Detroit
Dcn. Gerald Schiffer, St. Linus, Dearborn Heights
Dcn. James Thibodeau, Divine Child, Dearborn
Dcn. Michael Von Ende, Prince of Peace, West Bloomfield
Dcn. John Wright, SS. John and Paul, Washington Twp.