At a special anniversary Mass on October 25, 2026, the Archdiocese of Detroit celebrated 27 permanent deacons whose combined 510 years of ordained service reflect decades of dedication to Catholic worship, charitable outreach, and parish communities across southeast Michigan.
Catholic ministry is often measured not in extraordinary public moments, but in years of faithful service: baptisms celebrated, families accompanied through difficult times, homilies preached, and neighbors helped through acts of charity.
On Sunday, October 25, 2026, the Archdiocese of Detroit honored 27 permanent deacons at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, recognizing a remarkable 510 combined years of ordained ministry.
The anniversary Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Allen H. Vigneron, brought together deacons and their wives to commemorate ordination milestones ranging from five to 45 years.
The gathering highlighted the essential role permanent deacons play in Catholic life and the support their families provide throughout decades of service. It also offered an opportunity to reflect on how the diaconate continues to strengthen parishes at a time when the Catholic Church in southeast Michigan is preparing for significant pastoral changes.
For Detroit’s Catholic communities, the celebration was more than a recognition of anniversaries. It was a tribute to the lasting relationships, spiritual commitment, and quiet acts of service that help sustain parish life across generations.
A Jubilee Mass Celebrating Decades of Faithful Service
The annual diaconate jubilee took place at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, a center of Catholic education and formation in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
For many deacons, returning to the seminary carried special meaning. It was a place connected to their formation, discernment, and preparation for ordained ministry.
The celebration began with Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a reception and dinner honoring the jubilarians and their families.
Archbishop Emeritus Allen H. Vigneron presided over the liturgy, offering prayers of thanksgiving and encouragement to the deacons. During the Mass, the men and their wives participated in a recommitment to the ministry that has shaped their lives for years.
The gathering recognized ordination anniversaries in five-year increments, with the longest-serving honorees celebrating 45 years since their ordination.
2026 DETROIT DIACONATE JUBILEE
27
Permanent deacons honored
510
Combined years of ministry
45
Longest anniversary recognized, in years
The anniversary Mass provided a rare opportunity for deacons from different parishes and generations to gather, reconnect, and reflect on the shared purpose of their vocation.
Archbishop Vigneron Emphasizes Love of God and Neighbor
During his homily, Archbishop Vigneron reflected on the Gospel’s teaching about the greatest commandments: loving God and loving one’s neighbor.
He encouraged the deacons to recognize that Christian ministry is not simply about performing religious duties. It requires an interior commitment to the love and example of Jesus Christ.
For deacons, this message carries particular importance because their vocation involves teaching the Gospel through both words and actions.
The archbishop reminded those gathered that the commandments must be reflected in the character of the people who proclaim them.
His message challenged the jubilarians to continue embodying the faith they teach, whether they are serving at Mass, assisting families, visiting the sick, or participating in charitable ministries.
The celebration concluded with prayers of thanksgiving, a recommitment to ministry, and an opportunity for fellowship.
Meet the 27 Permanent Deacons Honored in 2026
The anniversary celebration recognized men ordained across several decades, from those marking their fifth year of ministry to those celebrating 45 years.
The following names and milestones were published by Detroit Catholic.
| Years of ministry | Deacons honored |
|---|---|
| 45 years | Tom Bousamra, Eugene Desjarlais |
| 35 years | Peter Cornell, Steven Morello, Clement Stankiewicz |
| 25 years | Brian White |
| 20 years | Joseph Karle, Paul Stevens, Ronald Valade, James Wilder |
| 15 years | Donald Baross, David Ebner, Michael Hammond, Thomas Houle, Ralph Luddecke, Michael McCrandall, Michael Oldani, Christopher Rabaut, Michael Stach, Christopher Stark, Thomas Strasz |
| 10 years | Kenneth Clark, Richard Rhein, Aleksander Stanaj |
| 5 years | Charles Dault, Richard Kliemann, Michael Merlo |
Names and anniversary categories from the October 27, 2026 Detroit Catholic report. Detroit Catholic
These milestones represent different generations of Catholic ministry.
The longest-serving deacons began their ordained service in 1981, while those celebrating five years were ordained in 2021.
Together, they reflect the continuity of the permanent diaconate in southeast Michigan and its contribution to parish life over several decades.
Deacon Michael McCrandall: Finding Strength in Community
For Deacon Michael McCrandall of St. Florian Catholic Church, the jubilee was an opportunity to reconnect with fellow deacons.
McCrandall attended the celebration with his wife, Ann Marie Strozynski-McCrandall, as he marked 15 years since his ordination.
He explained that one challenge of diaconal ministry is the limited opportunity to spend time with other deacons after completing formation and receiving parish assignments.
Years of preparation often create strong relationships among candidates, but those connections can become more difficult to maintain as men begin serving different communities.
The annual jubilee helps restore that sense of fraternity.
For McCrandall, gathering for Mass and fellowship was a reminder of the shared vocation that connects deacons across the archdiocese. Detroit Catholic
His experience highlights an important aspect of Catholic ministry: clergy and other ministers also benefit from encouragement, friendship, and opportunities for spiritual renewal.
Although deacons spend much of their time serving others, events such as the annual jubilee provide a space where they can receive support themselves.
Deacon Tom Houle: A Ministry That Continues Beyond Retirement
Another 15-year jubilarian, Deacon Tom Houle, offered an example of how the diaconate can remain an active vocation even after retirement from regular parish responsibilities.
Houle retired from St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Roseville in July 2026, but he continues to serve people through visits to hospitals and individuals who are unable to leave their homes.
During these visits, he prays with people, listens to their concerns, and brings them Holy Communion.
For Houle, one of the most rewarding parts of his years in ministry has been celebrating baptisms.
He has particularly valued helping parents prepare for their children’s baptism and encouraging families to remain active in the Catholic faith.
His wife, Conni Houle, described the importance of his continued outreach to older adults and people who may otherwise experience isolation. Detroit Catholic
His example illustrates that diaconal service does not necessarily end when a person retires from an assigned parish position.
The permanent diaconate is a lifelong sacramental vocation, and retired deacons may continue offering pastoral assistance according to their health, abilities, and the needs of their communities.
For homebound Catholics, those visits can provide a meaningful connection to the Church and the wider parish family.
What Is the Role of a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church?
Permanent deacons are ordained ministers who serve the Church through three interconnected responsibilities: the ministry of the Word, the liturgy, and charity.
Unlike priests, deacons cannot celebrate Mass or administer the sacrament of reconciliation. However, they have an important and distinct role in Catholic pastoral life.
Their responsibilities may include:
- Proclaiming the Gospel and preaching: Deacons proclaim the Gospel during Mass and may deliver homilies.
- Celebrating baptisms: They may administer the sacrament of baptism and help families prepare for their children’s initiation into the Church.
- Assisting at weddings and funerals: Deacons may witness marriages when authorized and preside at funeral rites outside Mass.
- Visiting the sick and homebound: They offer prayer, spiritual encouragement, and Holy Communion to people unable to attend church.
- Supporting charitable ministries: Many deacons participate in food assistance, hospital ministry, outreach to vulnerable individuals, and other community programs.
- Helping strengthen parish life: Their work can include religious education, faith formation, pastoral visits, and coordination with parish staff and volunteers.
The permanent diaconate is particularly distinctive because many deacons are married men who also maintain professional careers or have retired from secular employment.
Their experience in workplaces, families, and neighborhoods can help them connect Catholic teaching with everyday challenges.
The Important Role of Wives and Families in Diaconal Ministry
One of the defining characteristics of the October 25 celebration was the participation of the deacons’ wives.
For married permanent deacons, the journey toward ordination includes the support and consent of their spouses. Formation can require years of study, prayer, and significant commitments of time.
After ordination, a deacon may balance pastoral responsibilities with marriage, family life, employment, and other obligations.
The support of a spouse can therefore be essential to sustaining a healthy and faithful ministry.
The wives present at the jubilee were recognized alongside their husbands, reflecting the shared sacrifices and experiences that often accompany decades of diaconal service.
Although a deacon’s wife is not ordained through her husband’s vocation, she may participate in parish activities, charitable outreach, prayer, and community support according to her own gifts and calling.
For couples such as Michael and Ann Marie McCrandall and Tom and Conni Houle, the anniversary Mass provided an opportunity to celebrate years of shared experience and dedication.
The gathering also demonstrated that the diaconate is deeply connected to Catholic family life.
Why Detroit’s Permanent Deacons Matter as Parish Life Changes
The jubilee took place during a period of significant transition for the Archdiocese of Detroit.
In October 2026, the archdiocese continued its review of proposed parish restructuring models intended to respond to changes in Catholic participation, priest availability, and the practical needs of parish communities.
The process has raised questions about pastoral leadership, Mass schedules, and how local churches will coordinate their ministries in the future.
Permanent deacons can contribute to this transition through their experience, community relationships, and dedication to service.
Their ministry can help parishes maintain connections with families, older adults, and people who may not regularly participate in parish activities.
However, deacons do not replace priests. Their sacramental responsibilities are distinct, and the celebration of the Eucharist remains the responsibility of ordained priests.
Instead, the permanent diaconate complements priestly ministry and strengthens the wider mission of the Church.
The 27 jubilarians recognized in October demonstrate the long-term value of that contribution.
Their combined 510 years of service represent thousands of individual encounters: families preparing for baptism, parishioners receiving pastoral visits, people hearing the Gospel proclaimed, and neighbors finding practical help during difficult circumstances.
Those experiences are difficult to measure through statistics alone, but they form an important part of the Catholic Church’s presence in southeast Michigan.
Detroit Welcomed Four New Permanent Deacons Earlier in October
The anniversary celebration also followed another important event in the life of the local Church.
On October 3, 2026, Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger ordained four new permanent deacons at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
The newly ordained men received their first parish assignments:
| New deacon | Parish assignment |
|---|---|
| Kurt Krueger | Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Plymouth |
| Jeff Ostrowski | St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Livonia |
| Ron Potempski | Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Grosse Pointe Woods |
| Jim Pryce | Resurrection Parish, Canton |
Detroit Catholic
Together, the October 3 ordination and October 25 jubilee illustrate two stages of the same vocation.
The newly ordained deacons are beginning their years of service, while the jubilarians offer examples of perseverance, dedication, and spiritual growth over decades.
For Catholics considering a vocation to the permanent diaconate, the experiences of the jubilarians may provide encouragement and a clearer understanding of the lifelong nature of ordained service.
How Catholics Can Support Permanent Deacons and Their Families
The celebration at Sacred Heart Major Seminary also offers a reminder that supporting clergy and their families is a responsibility shared by the wider Catholic community.
Parishioners can contribute in several meaningful ways.
- Pray for permanent deacons and their families. Their ministries require spiritual strength, discernment, and a healthy balance between service and personal responsibilities.
- Participate in charitable outreach. Many deacons help organize community service projects that depend on volunteers.
- Support parish ministries. Religious education, visits to the homebound, and pastoral outreach are strengthened when parishioners offer their own time and talents.
- Recognize important milestones. Celebrating anniversaries helps acknowledge the years of service that often take place quietly and without public recognition.
- Encourage vocational discernment. Men interested in the permanent diaconate can speak with their pastor and explore the Church’s formation requirements.
The Archdiocese of Detroit Permanent Diaconate Office provides information about diaconal ministry, formation, and upcoming events.
Catholics interested in learning more can visit the Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Detroit or contact their parish for guidance.
A Celebration of Faithfulness Across Generations
The October 25, 2026, jubilee at Sacred Heart Major Seminary was an occasion of gratitude for the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Twenty-seven permanent deacons were recognized for 510 combined years of ordained ministry, with Archbishop Emeritus Allen H. Vigneron leading the community in prayer and thanksgiving.
The celebration honored not only the years these men have served, but also the families, parishes, and communities that have accompanied them throughout their vocations.
Deacon Michael McCrandall’s appreciation for fraternity and Deacon Tom Houle’s continuing ministry to the homebound illustrate two important dimensions of the diaconate: a shared calling and a commitment to serving others.
As Detroit’s Catholic communities prepare for the future, the witness of these deacons offers a reminder that strong parish life depends on enduring relationships, faithful leadership, and a willingness to respond to people’s spiritual and practical needs.
Their ministries may take different forms, but they share a common foundation in the Gospel.
After 510 combined years of service, the message of Detroit’s permanent deacons remains clear: Catholic ministry is a lifelong commitment to faith, compassion, and love of neighbor.