Deceased deacons and wives remembered at memorial Mass

Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley presided over the annual memorial Mass for deceased deacons and wives of the Archdiocese of Boston, celebrated Nov. 15 at the Bethany Chapel inside the archdiocese's Pastoral Center in Braintree.

Four deacons and four wives of deacons who passed away this year were remembered in a special way as their spouses, children or grandchildren lit a candle in their memory during the Mass.

The names of Deacons David J. Shrader, (class of 1988); Richard Siebert Sr., (class of 2006); Robert P. Amerault, (class of 1980) and Franciscso Alicea, (class of 1982) and Maria J. Machicado, Maureen Mannion, Elena M. Gardyna, and Dorothy M. Creutz were read aloud for the first time this year, as Deacon Patrick Guerrini read the names of 90 additional deacons and 45 deacon's wives lifted in prayer by the community.

Theresa Mangefesti came to Mass to remember her husband, Anthony, who was ordained on his birthday in 1980.

She has come to every Memorial Mass since 1986 "because it is important to take time to remember," and "I find inspiration" with the diaconate community, she said.