BRAINTREE -- At an Oct. 31 Mass at the archdiocese's Pastoral Center, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley accepted the intention of seven men to advance as candidates to continue their preparation and discernment toward ordination as permanent deacons in the fall of 2019. The men, Alan Amaral from Sacred Heart Parish in Lakeville; Peter Bujwid from St. Eulalia in Winchester; Ron Gerwatowski from St. Mary Parish in Franklin; Bashan Goppee from St. Thomas More Parish in Braintree; Antonio Perez from Sacred Heart Parish in Roslindale; Matthew Porter from St. Paul Parish in Hingham and Glen Smith from St. Michael Parish in Bedford have completed a first year of Aspirancy of their four year journey. The men were joined by their families for the Mass and a reception following the liturgy.

The Rite of Admission to Candidacy offers the candidates for ordination the opportunity to publicly express their intention to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Deacons are prepared for ordination during four years of instruction, prayer and discernment. All men attend two nights of classes weekly, two retreats each year, monthly formation days and a practicum in pastoral care during the summer after the third year of preparation and study.

Presently, there are over 200 Deacons actively serving in the archdiocese. If you are a man between the ages of 35 and 60 and interested in learning more about the diaconate in the Archdiocese Boston, please visit bostondiaconate.org and contact Deacon Christopher Connelly, director of Formation at DeaconChristopherConnolly@racb.org.