Thirty men were called to candidacy for the permanent diaconate Aug. 8 at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

The Rite of Admission to Candidacy to the Permanent Diaconate was celebrated at Corpus Christi Cathedral August 8. Bishop Edmond Carmody presided at the liturgy, and was joined by concelebrating priests, deacons and families of the candidates.

Thirty men, who had been recommended by the Council of Deacons' formation directors and screening committee, had made a formal handwritten request to the bishop for admission to the candidate path of diaconate formation. The wives of the married men also signed the request. The candidate path coupled with the initial aspirant and inquiry paths results in a 4 and a half to 5 year formation program.

These men were presented to the bishop who reviewed the recommendations and approved them for admission. The Formation Director is Deacon John Joiner, who is assisted by Deacon Art Provencio.

Deacon Michael Mantz, director of the council of deacons, said that both men are "very pro-active" in their approach to formation. "They have made several changes and have really improved on the initial program" which began in 2003. "They are continually working on training the men in good sound fundamental concepts focusing on the spiritual, pastoral and diaconal dimensions of training."

St. Mary's Seminary of the University of St. Thomas School of Theology in Houston, conducts the academic portion.

Following are the men who were called to candidacy and their parish affiliation:

John C Andrade, Most Precious Blood; J.C. Ayala, Most Precious Blood; Daniel Boehm, Sacred Heart, Rockport; Alfredo Castillo, Holy Family; David Castillo, Most Precious Blood; Julio Dimas, St. John the Baptist; Robert Flores, Sacred Heart, Odem; Thomas Gallegos, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Albert Galvan, Ss. Cyril & Methodious;; Jose Alanzo Garza, St. James Mission, Driscoll; Emede M. Gonzalez, St. Joseph, Alice; Sergio Gonzalez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Ernesto Gutierrez, St. Elizabeth, Alice; Danny L Herrera, St. Martin, Kingsville; Jesse Lee Hinojosa, Corpus Christi Cathedral; Richard Longoria, St. John The Baptist; Jesus R Maldonado, St. Teresa, Premont; Arnold Marcha, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Manuel G Marroquin, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Armando Medina, Mary, Mother of the Church; Felix Muniz, Most Precious Blood; Peter Rabalais, St. Pius X; Alfonso L Ramirez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Eric Ramos, Sacred Heart, Falfurrias; Francisco Rodriguez, St. Paul the Apostle; Herbert J Roussell, St. Peter Prince of the Apostles; Armando Sanchez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Daniel P Shaunessy, St. Philip the Apostle; Alfredo Soto, St. Mary Star of the Sea, Aransas Pass; Mathew T Varghese, St. John of the Cross, Orange Grove.