Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez To Ordain Five Men To the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

The Ordination Mass will be streamed live at www.scs.edu, Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez/ and www.facebook.com/StCharlesSem/

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will ordain five men to the Permanent Diaconate for service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia following their completion of a six-year formation program at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. The Rite of Ordination will take place during Mass following the Liturgy of the Word.

Saturday, June 8, 2024
10:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Permanent Deacons serve as ordained clergy in the Roman Catholic Church. They may be single or married males. As ministers at the altar, permanent deacons assist the priest and bishop at the Liturgy. They proclaim God’s Word, preach and teach, baptize, witness marriages, carry out funeral rites at the vigil and the grave, administer Holy Communion to the sick and dying, and perform a wide variety of other pastoral and charitable works as part of their vocation. 

Those being ordained as Permanent Deacons are listed below in alphabetical order:

  • Christopher DeMaio, a member of Saint Margaret Parish in Narberth (Montgomery County).
  • John J. Ellis, Jr., a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Milmont Park (Delaware County).
  • Michael R. Fohner, a member of Saint Dorothy Parish in Drexel Hill (Delaware County).
  • Jaime A. Gándara, a member of Saint Bridget Parish in Philadelphia.
  • Robert J. Szipszky, a member of Saint Mary Magdalen Parish in Media (Delaware County).

To learn more about the men being ordained to the Permanent Diaconate, please visit
https://catholicphilly.com/2024/06/news/local-news/five-men-to-be-ordained-permanent-deacons-june-8/.

Thanks to the generous support of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, the Mass will be streamed live via the Archdiocesan Vimeo Channel (https://vimeo.com/event/2470138); Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez/); Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary’s website (https://www.scs.edu/); and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StCharlesSem/); beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Please contact Daniel Kearns with any technical concerns regarding the live stream coverage at 215-888-0305 (cell).

 # # #

Editor’s Note: A press audio/video mult-box clean feed will be provided with multiple HD-SDI video (BNC) and mic/line (XLR) connections. Crews will need a live truck or recording device. Broadcast Media outlets will have parking space in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center parking lot. The parking lot entrance is located on 17th Street. 

Background on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary

Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 191 years. With a current enrollment of 143 seminarians, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is one of the largest seminaries in the country. In this very historic year, the seminary is preparing to relocate to Lower Gwynedd Township. Its new campus includes the construction of several new chapels, a college seminary dorm building, and a student life center which will consist of a refectory, classrooms, library, and administrative offices. Its inauguration is scheduled for August 2024. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram or YouTube.

About the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia 

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia (CFGP) is an independent, nonprofit community foundation committed to growing philanthropy according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Grounded in the principles of faith and service, CFGP meets the diverse needs of donors and Catholic institutions through charitable fund management and development consulting. Our services ensure an investment in the future of our faith. To learn more about CFGP, please visit https://thecfgp.org/.

facebook Archdiocese of Philadelphia
twitter ArchPhilly
instagram ArchPhilly

Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)