The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
Sixty-three men have been chosen for the next diaconate formation class, which will begin its five-year program in August.
Deacon Mark Verkamp, diaconate formation director, said about 120 men expressed interest in becoming deacons, with about 90 submitting applications. The selection was made after psychological evaluations, recommendations from their pastor, parishioners and coworkers, background checks and interviews with the diaconate formation team. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor approved the aspirants who were chosen.
Beginning Aug. 4-6, the men and their wives will meet monthly at St. John Center in Little Rock for weekend classes. The classes will be held 11 times a year through May 2028. Their ordination will be held in June 2028.
The English-language program will be led by instructors from St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana, while the Spanish-language program will be taught by Arkansas priests.
Verkamp said he is already impressed with the eagerness of the aspirants.
“The sense of commitment from everyone is excellent,” Verkamp said. “We have a wide range of people, different professions from ranchers to doctors, lawyers, construction workers, all walks of life. Some are retired, and some still work their day job. It is a great sense of initial excitement. Everybody comes across with a servant’s heart.”
Twenty-five Hispanic aspirants were chosen. They are:
Thirty-eight aspirants will be in the English-language program.
The English-language formation team includes Debbie King of North Little Rock; Deacon David and Karen French of Conway; Deacon Calvin and Margaret Pearcy of Conway; Deacon Randy and Kim Spellins of Little Rock; and Deacon Ronnie and Sharon Hoyt of Rogers.
The Spanish-language formation team includes Deacon Marcelino and Maria Vazquez of Fayetteville; Deacon Ricardo and Rosario Puello of Paragould; Deacon Oscar and Alejandra Lopez of Springdale; Deacon Jose and Candy Luebano of, El Dorado; and Deacon Elias and Maria Rangel of Berryville.
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