Gilbert Gutierrez

Newly ordained Deacon Gilbert Gutierrez is assigned to his home parish, Santa Cruz in Buda. “Being a retiree gives me ample opportunity to dedicate more time to serving as God’s servant while maintaining a strong connection with my family,” Deacon Gutierrez said. “My wife, Tina, is the true cornerstone of the family. Her sacrifices remind me daily of the true meaning of being united, and I am deeply grateful for her role in making this journey possible.”

In preparation for his new ministry, Deacon Gutierrez said prayer and scripture meant everything. “Before entering formation, I believed I had a solid prayer life. I attended Mass twice a week, prayed the rosary and participated in adoration once a week,” he said. However, diaconate formation challenged him to go deeper. It led him to become actively involved in parish ministries and community groups, which helped him realize that Christ was calling him to the diaconate.

As a Santa Cruz acolyte program member, Deacon Gutierrez helped with liturgical celebrations, which gave him “a greater appreciation for the liturgy.” He also participates in a Communion service prison ministry twice a month and belongs to the Sunfield Rosary group. Moreover, he attends Spanish Mass and participates in the Spanish-speaking ministry Cristo Renueva Su Parroquia (Christ Renews His Parish).

“These experiences have given me a better understanding of servant leadership, strengthened my connection to diverse parishioners and taught me the importance of unity within the church,” Deacon Gutierrez said. “They have also provided me with valuable pastoral skills that I believe will serve me well in growing as a deacon.”

Kyle Janda

Deacon Kyle Janda will serve at his home parish of Sacred Heart in La Grange, where he and his wife Katie Janda are raising four children: Sophie (11), Justin (8), Lucy (4) and Kolbe (1). “My ordination wouldn’t have been possible without much prayer and discernment, as well as the support my family has given me for many years,” Deacon Janda said.

He said finding a balance between being simultaneously present to his growing family and to the church will be challenging as a young deacon. “When I first felt called, I thought that becoming a deacon would be something I could do once our kids were older and I got closer to retirement. I soon realized that God was calling us now, not when we felt it might be most convenient.”

Serving in a small town requires working together and wearing many hats, which has led Deacon Janda to engage in strong community involvement, where he has experienced many opportunities to serve.

“To be a herald of the Gospel, one must first know the Gospel and live it as best one can,” he said. “With the grace of God, I’ll be able to ‘believe what I read, teach what I believe, and practice what I believe.’” But to truly achieve this, one must rely on prayer, “without prayer we’re isolated in our ministry, totally dependent on ourselves alone, and that is a recipe for disaster. Prayer keeps us close to our Lord and is essential to the daily life of a committed Christian,” Deacon Janda said.

Hector Medrano

Deacon Hector Medrano, a retired state employee and part-time landscaper, has been assigned to St. Paul in Smithville. He and his wife, Maribel, have two sons, Alexandre and Nicholas. “My family’s support has been a crucial pillar in my journey, providing emotional encouragement, practical assistance, a sense of belonging, and a foundation of love that has helped me navigate the challenges,” Deacon Medrano said.

Like many Catholic men, Deacon Medrano’s early spiritual life was that of a “regular Sunday Catholic.” He attended Sunday Mass as an item on his “checklist.” But then he began to desire more and got involved as a sacristan, setting up and cleaning before and after Masses; he was the first to arrive for Mass and the last to leave. Deacon Medrano’s spiritual journey has involved a healthy dose of daily prayer and attending Mass and being active in the community through different ministries.

He said his role as a deacon has three dimensions: liturgy, word and service. “All Christians are called to serve, but the deacon serves with a special grace, a unique authority and humble power from the Holy Spirit. He is called to be the presence of Christ to those in need,” Deacon Medrano said.

Mike Owens

Deacon Mike Owens has been assigned to his home parish, St. Thomas More in Austin. A vice president with NatApp, Deacon Owens, and his wife, Bridgitte, have three adult children. His wife has been “encouraging and affirming” not only through his discernment but in his involvement with various ministries over the last 20 years, including Mobile Loaves and Fishes, as a confirmation catechist and various liturgical roles such as lector, Eucharist minister, sacristan and acolyte.

During his diaconate formation, he was involved in prison ministry, including coordinating Catholic ministry efforts at the Bartlett Men’s Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Williamson County jail.

Deacon Owen’s spiritual journey evolved over the years of his formation, “beginning with learning to trust God more fully, to be docile to the spirit, adopting a spirit of humility and understanding how to better love God and others through worship and service.”

Deacons at St. Thomas More are involved in sacramental preparation for baptism and matrimony. Additionally, Deacon Owens looks forward to serving areas of the parish where other clergy may not be able to reach, “to be a voice both for and to the fringes and to bring Christ to those who might not otherwise encounter him.”

Nasario Perez

St. Albert the Great in Austin is the home parish for Deacon Nasario Perez, who is married to Leticia Ramirez. Deacon Perez, a construction superintendent, said, “Prayer is the main foundation for a married couple to make great decisions in the call to serve others. For me, the diaconal ministry goes united with my marriage.”

For over 15 years, Deacon Perez has been involved in various ministries. He has served as coordinator for the Hispanic Community and coordinator of Spanish liturgy. Currently, he teaches adult catechesis. “These experiences have prepared me for my diaconal life, because throughout these years I learned the great need within our community, but above all, I learned to trust in God,” Deacon Perez said.

Scripture also played a significant role in his decision to pursue the diaconate. His day begins with the Liturgy of the Hours and the rosary. He also attends daily Mass, meditates on the Scriptures, and engages in lectio divina (listening to God’s voice through Scripture, rather than simply reading it). “This is fundamental to finding spiritual strength through the Word, keeping in prayer is keeping our life in a daily relationship with God,” he said.

One of Deacon Perez’s most welcomed duties as a deacon is to bring Holy Communion to the sick. “This is where I find a great mission, where God is calling me, to make his feet, his voice, and to bring those who cannot come to him, to become the bridge that connects others,” Deacon Perez said.

Joseph Patrick Pettibon II

Joseph Patrick Pettibon II has been assigned to his home parish, St. Thomas Aquinas in College Station. He works at Texas A&M University as vice president for planning, assessment and strategy. The deacon and his wife, Jennifer Marie, have seven children and three grandsons. His diaconate journey would not have been possible without the encouragement of his wife and family.

“I believe that we will balance the responsibilities of family, diaconal ministry and my professional life using the gifts that God has given us to manage our beautiful life thus far,” Deacon Pettibon said.

The deacon has served in many roles at St. Thomas Aquinas, including lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, usher and sacristan. He has also contributed to the parish’s educational ministries, teaching adults, teens and children and helping those seeking to enter the church.

“All of these experiences are part of the preparation to be a deacon, as they have taught me how to serve and love people and support them in their faith journey,” Deacon Pettibon said.

“Diaconal ministry is a ministry of presence, not activity. So, while I imagine I will assist at Mass, proclaim and preach the Good News, baptize, and help in various ways within the parish, that is not my mission. My mission is to be a deacon of presence, sharing the presence of Christ with those he brings into my presence,” he said.

Editor’s note: The remaining six deacons ordained earlier this year will be featured in the July/August edition of the Catholic Spirit. They are Deacons Roger Alan Bjork, St. John Vianney in Round Rock; Aurelio Cadena, St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station; Kyle Hammons, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in String Prairie and Sacred Heart Parish in Rockne; Nathan Sharp, San José Parish in Austin; John Swanson, Emmaus Parish in Lakeway; and Robert Tavarez, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin.