BRIDGEPORT—On Sunday April 23 at 8:30 am at St. Augustine Cathedral, Michael Crane of New Canaan, Andres Grajales of Stamford, and Martin Rodriguez of Bridgeport will be admitted to candidacy for ordination as deacons.
The Rite of Candidacy Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. The Mass is open to all who wish to attend. In addition to the family, friends and faithful who attend in-person, the Candidacy Mass will also be live-streamed on the Cathedral website
Deacon Jerry Lambert, director of the diaconate, said that Admission to Candidacy for Ordination marks the end of the first year of study for the three men who have participated in monthly formation weekends within the diocese, while also beginning four years of theological study at Saint Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. In addition, their wives have participated in the “wives formation” program.
Biographical information on the the three aspirants who will move forward in their journey of discernment:
Michael J. Crane, 61, is 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: Matt, 31; Austin, 27; and Andrew, 24.
Andres Grajales, 45, is a member of Sacred Heart Parish 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 Senior 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, is a member of the Cathedral Parish, 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, and 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.
(For more information about the permanent diaconate and the formation program, please contact Deacon Jerry Lambert, director of the diaconate at dnlambert@diobpt.org or 203.416.1451.)
