Seven of the 15 men being ordained to the order of deacon sit before the congregation at Our Lady of Victory Basilica. (Dan Cappellazzo/Staff Photographer)

Under the shadow of intense criticism of diocesan leadership, a Catholic congregation from all over Western New York came together at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna to witness the celebration of the ordination of 15 men to the order of the diaconate on Saturday, Sept. 15.

Eight men - Ronald D. Adamczak of Lancaster, David M. Augustyniak of Lewiston, Michael J. Dalessandro of West Seneca, Daniel G. Denecke of Marilla, Jorge L. Silva of Tonawanda, and Arthur T. Sullivan Jr., Paul F. Walter Jr. and Robert G. Warner, all of East Amherst, were ordained permanent deacons by Bishop Richard J. Malone. Robert A. Contarin of East Aurora, Moses O. Ikuelogbon of Buffalo, Aaron F. Kulczyk of Batavia, Robert J. Owczarczak of East Aurora, Mario Gemar Racho of the Philippines, Patryk G. Sobczyk of Tonawanda and Justin J. Steeg of Westfield were ordained transitional deacons, preparing them for the next step on their journey to the priesthood.

Prior to the ordination Mass, all the candidates were asked to describe themselves and their religious journey into further ministry. Deacon Silva, originally from Puerto Rico and now married with two children, explained he was raised in a good Catholic family that always encouraged proper religious formation.

"I'm a man who loves my family and the Catholic Church," Deacon Silva said. "I love working with those people who have suffered a lot in their lives because they are the living Christ of our time. I am confident that in spite of my imperfections and limitations, the same Jesus who called me to serve him, is the same one who will give me the graces in order to be a good servant of Him and to announce His message by my words and deeds to his holy people."

"God's call to ordained ministry started as an idea and a desire that wouldn't go away," said Deacon Steeg. "I am excited to see what God has for me next as I seek to serve God's people here in Western New York."

During his homily, Bishop Malone complimented the basilica and ministry of Venerable Nelson Baker, who spearheaded the construction of the Lackawanna landmark. Bishop Malone discussed the meaning of the first reading, Jeremiah 1:4-9, which concludes, "Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, 'See, I place my words in your mouth!,'" calling on the new deacons to be heralds of the Gospel.

"We thank God for calling you, dear brothers, each of you, and for saying yes to that call," the bishop said.

The congregation offered rounds of applause for both the bishop, and in particular, the priests who serve the diocese.

Just as Bishop Malone began the Mass, he took a moment to "address the elephant in the room, and that is me." He reiterated his call to implement stronger safeguards in the diocese, and announced a prayer service for healing and penance at 3 p.m. Sept. 30 in St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.

Bishop Malone cited a recent letter he received that inspired him to not quit, get better and lead.

"I admit my failure in how we handled cases recently," the bishop said. "I am sorry."

Deacon Kulczyk said that while his own vocations has had its ups and downs, it was God's call that got him through, even in this moment of time in the Diocese of Buffalo.

"In looking at my own vocational journey, it started as the call to service in helping others," he said. "Yet now, whenever I think about my own vocation, I think of the words, 'You will be needed.' Even with everything in the news recently, we need good lay men and women, religious sisters and brothers, deacons and priests in order to lead others to Christ by first leading ourselves to Christ by following his mission of love, service and hope."