Bishop Zubik to ordain 8 deacons in Diocese of Pittsburgh on Saturday

Bishop David Zubik will ordain eight men as permanent deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The ordination will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland.

“Their ministry is needed more than ever during this challenging time for the Church,” Zubik said in a statement. “It is a tremendous witness of discipleship.”

Deacons are ordained ministers with a special role of performing charity and assisting in liturgical and sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Permanent deacons coordinate part-time ministry with job and family responsibilities. Deacons preach and teach, baptize, witness marriages and lead prayer.

According to a news release, the Deacon Formation Program consists of academic training in theology, scripture, canon law, delivering sermons, church architecture and art and other topics.

“These men have been deeply immersed in the diocesan Deacon Formation Program for more than five years,” Zubik said. “The process has helped them discern their vocation to their ministry, deepen their relationship with the Lord and model their lives on Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve.”

After the ordination, Zubik will assign the new deacons. The diocese currently has 94 permanent deacons, 85 of whom serve in active ministry. Another 29 are in formation to become deacons.

Zubik is expected to call for another deacon class to begin the application process this year.

Members of the deacon class of 2020 include:

• Frank C. Bursic, 61, is a member of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish in Monroeville/Penn Hills/Pitcairn. He and his wife, Karen, have three adult children and a granddaughter. Bursic is a global energy consultant and partner with InRoads International LLC.

• Jeffrey P. Formica, 59, is from St. Michael Parish in the Elizabeth/Glassport/South Allegheny Area grouping. He and his wife, Susan, are parents of four adult children. Formica is an engineer with Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC.

• Joseph F. Kralik, Jr., 56. He and his wife, Barbara, belong to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Parish in the Bethel Park/South Park/Whitehall grouping. Kralik is a national key account director-government for Essity HMS North America, Inc.

• Paul C. Lim, 43, belongs to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in the Green Tree/Carnegie/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are parents of four children ages 10 to 3. Lim is a licensed social worker and hospital care management director at UPMC St. Margaret.

• John T. Mayer, 56, is from Our Lady of Grace Parish in the Mt. Lebanon/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Laura, are parents of three adult children. Mayer is a sales engineer with Chem-Aqua.

• Scott S. Potter, Ph.D., 59, is a member of St. Bernard Parish in the Mt. Lebanon/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Heidi, are parents of six children, including Father Adam Potter, and have a granddaughter. Potter is a systems engineer at General Dynamic Mission Systems.

• Eric C. Schorr, 59, is from St. Bernard Parish in the Mt. Lebanon/Scott grouping. He and his wife, Maureen, are parents of three adult children. Schorr is an accountant with American Zinc Recycling.

• James D. Shope, 58, belongs to St. Andrew Parish in the Butler Area grouping. He and his wife, Carol, have two adult children. Shope is an executive program manager with the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.