BRIDGEPORT—Many people are going nowhere in their lives—their hopes are often dashed and they are broken and riddled with anxiety from pursuing the wrong things, said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano at the Mass for Rite of Admission to Candidacy for the Order of the Diaconate St. Augustine Cathedral.
He told the three men in formation for the diaconate– Michael Crane of New Canaan, Andres Grajales of Stamford, and Martin Rodriguez of Bridgeport–that their mission is to lead people to Christ by walking alongside them so that they can find meaning, community and purpose in their lives.
On an overcast morning with a cold, driving rain, the gleaming lights and the newly installed geothermal healing system warmed the inside of the cathedral for the nearly 200 in attendance.
The Mass was also a family affair as the deacons admitted to candidacy were accompanied by their wives and children who sat in the front rows before the altar.
“Without you they would not be standing here,” the Bishop said to the deacon candidate’s wives and children as his words were met with applause.
The Bishop also thanked the men’s pastors Msgr. Robert Kinnally, pastor of Aloysius Parish in New Canaan; Fr. Arthur Mollenhauer, pastor of the Cathedral Parish; and Fr. Alfonso Picone, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Stamford, who celebrated the Mass along with him in support of the deacon candidates.
The Rite of Admission for Holy Orders was performed immediately following the homily, when the Bishop called the three men to the altar and they stood before him.
Deacons’ wives bring up the offertory gifts
“Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly pray to our Lord and God that in his kindness he may pour out the grace of his blessing upon these servants of his, who desire to devote themselves to the ministry of the Church,” he said to begin the Universal Prayer.
Deacon Jerry Lambert, director of the diaconate program, petitioned “that these our brothers may draw closer to Christ and be enabled to witness to him in the world.”
The Bishop concluded the rite by praying, “Lord, in your love, graciously bless them that they may persevere in their vocation, and that they may be worthy to take up the apostolic mission.”
In his homily the Bishop reflected on the Gospel of Luke (24:13-35) in which the disciples encounter the Risen Lord, but do not recognize him as they are fleeing from Jerusalem and walking toward Emmaus.
The Bishop noted that their hopes had collapsed after the crucifixion of Jesus and they were running in fear, confusion, disappointment and anxiety.
However, they were hoping for the wrong things and failed to understand that their expectations were for an earthly king, not for the liberation that Jesus brings to those who follow him.
“We all walk in the wrong direction, but the Lord is asking us to follow him example,” the Bishop said, noting that the Risen Lord is made known to us through sacred scripture and “the breaking of the bread.”
The Bishop explained that when he traveled to the Holy Land a few years back, one of the first places he wanted to visit was Emmaus. However, he quickly learned that no one really knows where it really is. One scholar told hold him that in one translation of the word, “Emmaus,” means “nowhere.”
In that context, the Bishop challenged the deacons, “In this age, you need to accompany people who society has decided are not worthy of our efforts.” He said the poor, mentally ill, and refugees are often written off.
Bishop Caggiano leads the Rite of Admission to Candidacy while the three candidates stand before him at St. Augustine Cathedral
“You must go into the shadows and lead them from Emmaus to Jerusalem,” he said, noting that so many people who are walking toward “nothing” in their lives need to be turned in a new direction toward Jesus, where they will begin find hope, destiny, purpose and joy.
Following Mass the Bishop thanked Deacon Jerry Lambert for leading the men in formation and helping them to continue their journey toward ordination, “Deacon Jerry you have much to do and you always do it well.”
The offertory gifts were brought to the altar by the wives of the deacon candidates’ wives, Alycia Crane, Judith Pazmino, and Leo Flor Rodriguez.
Deacons in their third year of formation, Edward Carrillo and Frank Mantero were instituted as readers to deliver the first and second readings..
Deacons Jerry Lambert and Deacon Brad Smythe were the assisting deacons for the Mass.
Dr. William Atwood, Diocesan director of Music Ministry. Cantors Arijana Lempke and Sarah Huston served as cantors.
Photos by Michelle Babyak
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Biographical information on the three men admitted to Candidacy
Michael J. Crane, 61 a member of St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan, where he serves as a Stephen Ministry Leader and Leader of the Men’s Spirituality Group. He also served as a Religious Education teacher at St. John in Darien.
Reflecting on the call to diaconate formation, Crane said “The process of discernment and formation is a blessing. I hope to be worthy of the diaconate ministry and to be a faithful servant of God in our Diocese. I ask that you pray for me, my family, and my brothers in discernment and their families.”
After graduating from Fordham University and Fordham Law School, (J.D., 1986), attorney Crane served as a Law Clerk for United States District Judge, John F. Keenan, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He was also Associate General Counsel of Ernst & Young LLP from 1993-2021.
He and his wife, Alycia, are the parents of three grown sons. Three sons, Matt, 31; Austin, 27; and Andrew, 24.
Andres Grajales, 45, is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Stamford. His parish ministry and community service includes the Spanish young adult ministry (Charismatic renewal movement) and Marriage Prep/Pre-Cana coordinator, and service as RCIA Spanish Coordinator.
“The Lord reminds me constantly – ‘Be Not afraid!’ He continues to help and prepare me through formation, and I never feel alone. The process of discernment brings me closer to the Lord and my brothers in formation and this is invaluable. I ask the Lord to continue to guide us every step of the way on the call to the diaconate formation.”
A graduate of Gibbs College where he studied Computer Network Operations, he currently serves as Sr. Manager, Americas Supply Chain BPX (Business Process Expert), Coty Inc, New York. In the past he has held a variety of posts including Supply, Network operations, and Logistics.
He and his wife, Judith Pazmino are the parents of three children, Angela 15, Mateo 12, and Cristina, 8.
Martin Rodriguez, 52, a member of the Cathedral Parish of St. Augustine, where he has served as a member of the Parish Council, Lector, and Catechist.
“There are moments in life when the Lord calls us, and we do not listen. For many years I thought this was not for me, but the Lord kept calling and calling. Finally, I said I hear you, Lord. Lead the way,” he said.
He is a graduate of Gibbs College and Bullard Havens Tech in Bridgeport, he is currently serving as Director of Quality at JV Precision Machine Company in Shelton since 2005
He and his wife LeoFlor Rodriguez are the parents of four children, Aislynn, Micheal , Yuliza and Yelena, and three grandchildren: Owen, Arie and Iliana.
