The Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama welcomed 28 new aspirants who have begun their five-year journey of formation for the permanent diaconate. These men joined 15 candidates entering their fourth year of formation, marking a moment of hope and vitality for the Church in northern and central Alabama.

To begin this new year of formation, the men and their wives gathered with the diocesan formation team for a one-day retreat at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman. The peaceful monastic setting offered an ideal environment for prayer, reflection, and fraternity. Father John Paul Mary Zeller, M.F.V.A., served as retreat master, guiding the group through talks centered on the retreat theme “Discern, Prepare, Act.”

Throughout the day, aspirants and candidates prayed as a community, shared a meal, and spent time learning together. Their wives, who play an essential role in the discernment and formation process, were active participants in the retreat, highlighting the shared mission that is at the heart of diaconal ministry. This year’s combined group of 43 men in formation represents a diversity of backgrounds, parishes, and professional experiences, representing the rich tapestry of the Diocese of Birmingham. 

Deacon Jeff Montgomery, director of formation for the Permanent Diaconate Program, said: “We are grateful to Bishop Steven J. Raica for his support of the permanent diaconate and for his encouragement of vocations throughout our diocese. It is a blessing to witness so many men responding generously to God’s call to serve in this special way. Please keep these men and their families in your prayers as they continue their diaconate formation.” 

The new Aspirants who participated in the retreat were:

Samuel Baney (Faith), Annunciation of the Lord, Decatur

Rodolfo Bernal (Shirley), Our Lady Queen of the Universe, Huntsville

Matthew Briggs (Heather), St. Francis of Assisi University, Tuscaloosa

Justin Farr (Amy), St. Peter the Apostle, Birmingham

Daniel Andrew Guess (Alex), St. Thomas the Apostle, Montevallo

John Hosmer (Kate), Our Lady of the Valley, Birmingham

Robert (Scott) Johnson (Amy), Prince of Peace, Hoover

Paul Kosinski (Jarcia), Most Merciful Jesus, Madison

Jonathan Koskey (Sondra), St. Joseph's, Florence

George Lake (Lisa), Holy Spirit, Tuscaloosa

Kenneth Levesque (Jennifer), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Gardendale

Brian Mitchell (Kathleen), St. John the Baptist, Madison

Thomas Pratt (Laura), Sacred Heart of Jesus, Anniston

Pedro Quiles (Adaliris), St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Leeds

Robert Rodriguez, The Cathedral of St Paul, Birmingham

Jeremiah Russell (Ashleigh), Annunciation of the Lord, Decatur

Vincent Schilleci (Anne), St. Francis Xavier, Birmingham

Michael Schovel (Denise), St. John the Baptist, Madison

John Shearer (Alexandra), St. Mary of the Visitation, Huntsville

Kenric Smith (Suzette), Most Merciful Jesus, Madison

Hank Stickley (Tamra), Our Lady of the Valley, Birmingham

Kraig Tersigni (Hollie), St. John the Baptist, Madison

George Uchaker (Cassandra), St. William, Guntersville

Fitzgerald Umah (Chiamaka), Prince of Peace, Hoover

Alexander White (Chelsey), Annunciation of the Lord, Decatur

Keith White (Halisha), Our Lady of Fatima, Birmingham

Peter Wozny (Christine), Good Shepherd, Huntsville

Wes Yeatman (Donna), Our Lady of the Valley, Birmingham

The candidates who participated in the retreat were:

Timothy Battocletti (Valerie), St. Francis University Parish, Tuscaloosa

Martin Beasley (Mary), The Cathedral of St. Paul, Birmingham

Maxwell Elebash (Tammy), Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Tuscaloosa

Colin Fach (Kimberly), St. Mark the Evangelist, Birmingham

Cliff Farabee (Marcia), St. James, Gadsden

Gregory Halen (Jennifer), St. Michael the Archangel, St. Florian, Florence

Steven Leisure, St. Robert Bellarmine, Reform

Joseph Mokulis (Elizabeth), St. Joseph, Florence

Abraham Niedzwiecki (Elizabeth), St. Paul, Athens

Vick Peltier (Myra), Good Shepherd, Huntsville

Jose Santiago (Luisa), Prince of Peace, Hoover

Jason Shaw (Denise), Our Lady of the Valley, Birmingham

John Summers (Elizabeth), St. William, Guntersville

David Williams (Kelly), St. John the Baptist, Madison

Austin Wimberly (Maris), Our Lady of Sorrows, Homewood