Meet the permanent deacons

Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain 14 men to the permanent diaconate during a 10 a.m. Mass May 9 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. A permanent deacon differs from a transitional deacon in that he is not later ordained to the priesthood.

After their ordination, the new deacons will proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach homilies, assist at the altar, lead general intercessions and distribute Communion in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore. They will administer the sacrament of baptism, witness marriages and preside at rites of Christian burial. The clergymen, who received their theological training at St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park, will also minister in the wider community at hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and other institutions.

The ordination Mass will also be livestreamed on the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen’s YouTube page.

Alejandro Alfonso Cañadas

Age: 54

Home parish: St. Joseph, Emmitsburg

Education: Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA); University of Dayton; The Ohio State University; John Paul the Great Catholic University, Escondido, Calif.

Family: Married to Cynthia Fraga for 27 years; three children

Diaconal internships: Rescue Mission of Frederick; St. Katharine Drexel, Frederick

Career: Associate Professor of Economics at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg

Quote: “With gratitude to God for the journey that has led me to this moment, I look forward to serving Jesus Christ and his Church as a permanent deacon. I’m especially drawn to proclaiming the Gospel, preaching and teaching the faith, and serving those most in need — seeking to be a humble instrument of God’s love, particularly for the poor, the marginalized and all who are searching for hope.”

Did you know? Cañadas met Pope Francis in Argentina in the 1990s before the then-cardinal became pope. He loves swimming and running. He studies foreign languages and can speak Spanish, Italian and French – and is now learning Hebrew and Greek.

Antonio ‘Tony’ Diana

Age: 62

Home parish: Catholic Community of Ascension, Halethorpe, and St. Augustine, Elkridge

Education: University of Hauts-de-France; University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Family: Married to Karen Blair Diana for 15 years

Diaconal Internships: The Pastorate of St. Philip Neri/St. Clement in Linthicum and Lansdowne

Career: Assistant teaching professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore County; has held various roles in aviation over the years, including at the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington, D.C., where he currently serves as a senior artificial intelligence technical lead

Quote: “Being a deacon is a way to serve the Lord and the Church, announce the Gospel of the Lord, and encourage my brothers and sisters to follow Jesus.”

Did you know? Diana was born and raised in France. He plays and collects saxophones, and has four dogs and two cats.

Angel Jesus Velasquez Gonzalez

Age: 43

Home parish: St. Francis de Sales, Abingdon

Education: Instituto Universitario de Tecnología de Cabimas, Zulia, Venezuela; Alonso de Ojeda University, Zulia, Venezuela

Family: Married to Jaisa Rodriguez for 12 years; two children

Diaconal internships: St. Margaret and St. Mary Magdalene, Bel Air

Career: Owner of Maryland Appliances and Mattresses; previously worked at Maersk Drilling as an electrical supervisor on offshore drilling rigs

Quote: “I want to serve God in his only Church, our Catholic Church. I’m answering his calling.”

Did you know? Gonzalez likes to read the lives of the saints. He enjoys riding his bicycle, listening to Gregorian chant and instrumental music, and spending time in nature.

Christopher Story Marron

Age: 60

Home parish: Our Lady of the Fields, Millersville

Education: Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Va.; University of Texas, Austin, Texas; University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.

Family: Married to Jennifer Aultman Marron for 37 years; four children, four grandchildren

Diaconal internships: Sarah’s House, Fort Meade; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Crofton

Career: Professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; former applied research mathematician at the National Security Administration

Quote: “Through my own experience of God’s grace and mercy, I have come to want to share that with others and to help people know that God desires to be close to them. I hope that I can encourage others to seek the Lord, especially those who feel unworthy to do so.”

Did you know? Marron is a self-described “math nerd” who said his children have a “touch of that as well.” He has to control his urge to discuss mathematical topics at family events. A formative experience for his family was living overseas for four years.

Eduardo Castro Martinez

Age: 57

Home parish: St. Michael the Archangel, Overlea

Education: High school education in El Salvador and studied construction management through a union in Baltimore

Family: Married to Sara Maria Mendez for 22 years; four children; two grandchildren

Diaconal internships: Franklin Square Medical Center, Rossville; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Baynesville

Career: Lead superintendent for Southway Builders Inc.

Quote: “I want to be a deacon because I feel called to serve God and his Church in a deeper way. I want my life to reflect Christ’s life through humble service to others, especially those in need. I hope to be a bridge between the altar and everyday life.”

Did you know? Martinez speaks English and Spanish. He loves the outdoors, singing and playing guitar. He’s also an Orioles and Ravens fan and loves to spend time with his family.

Peter Reid Ogden Sr.

Age: 68

Home parish: St. Peter the Apostle, Oakland

Education: Allegany College, Cumberland; Towson University; working on degree at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute, Roland Park

Family: Married to Patricia L. (Rodgers) Ogden for 36 years; six children and eight grandchildren

Diaconal internships: Newman Center, Frostburg State University; St. Peter the Apostle, Oakland

Career: Retired in 2025; previously worked for MultiCam East as a senior computer numerical control service technician

Quote: “I had a profound conversion experience in 1984, and entered the Catholic Church in 1989. Years later, I heard the call to the diaconate, but it wouldn’t fit with my work and family obligations. In 2021, our pastor recognized the call once again. Formation has clearly cemented that call to the diaconate, with many confirmations and graces received.”

Did you know? Ogden is a former rock-and-roll drummer. He said he still gets the opportunity to “serve the Lord with this talent.” He loves gardening, processing firewood, woodworking and spending time with his family.

Patrick James O’Brien

Age: 62

Home parish: St. Peter the Apostle, Oakland

Education: Towson University, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore

Family: Married to Michele (Huber) O’Brien for 36 years; five children, four grandchildren

Diaconal internships: Newman Center, Frostburg State University; St. Peter the Apostle, Oakland

Career: Retired, part-time government contractor in information technology and security; former computer systems analyst for the Department of Defense, former federal agent investigating electronic crimes and computer intrusions

Quote: “Some of my earliest memories are knowing that Christ loved me and was close to me. I committed my life to Christ at an early age, and have tried to love him – and serve his Church – ever since. As a deacon, I believe God is calling me to an even deeper relationship with his mystical body, and to share the joy of that mystery and the promise of eternal life with everyone I can.”

Did you know? By the time he was 16, O’Brien lived almost half his life in Europe and visited nearly two dozen countries – opening his mind and heart to people of different languages and cultures, as well as various world views and priorities. He enjoys racquetball and riding his motorcycle.

Richard Michael Olkowski

Age: 58

Home parish: St. Michael the Archangel, Overlea

Education: Towson University, University of Baltimore

Family: Married to Jennifer Olkowski for 31 years; two children

Diaconal internships: Franklin Square Medical Center, Rossville; St. Michael the Archangel, Overlea

Career: Vice president and partner of A&J Electric Company, White Marsh; former youth minister at Immaculate Conception, Towson; former adjunct professor, University of Baltimore

Quote: “I want to be a deacon because I believe God is calling me to be one. I love God and his Church; I want to serve both. I am looking forward to forming relationships with people and being part of the important times of their lives. I want to help others have a relationship with God and be an active member of the Church.”

Did you know? Olkowski is a big fan of fantasy football. In elementary school, a priest referred to him as the “little monsignor.”

Fernando Gabriel Paniagua

Age: 58

Home parish: St. Mary, Annapolis

Education: Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (Regional Córdoba, Argentina); Texas Tech University, Lubbock.

Family: Married to Silvia Marcela Peart for 30 years; one child

Diaconal internships: Sarah’s House, Fort Meade; Pastorate of Our Lady in Edgewater and West River

Career: Professor at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex campus.

Quote: “I want to be a deacon to serve the poor and marginalized, providing support to those who feel overlooked. I am especially looking forward to using my bilingual and bicultural background to bridge the gap between English and Spanish speakers within the parish I will be assigned to serve. I hope to ensure that all members of the community feel heard, encouraged and spiritually supported.”

Did you know? Paniagua has had a lifelong commitment to serving the poor and has worked with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Our Lady of Guadalupe ministries. He said he strives to turn every encounter with those in need into a moment of “shared prayer and human dignity.”

Christopher Manuel Patrick

Age: 61

Home parish: St. Joseph, Sykesville

Education: University of Connecticut; executive development courses at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Family: Married to Amy Barrett Patrick for 35 years; three children

Diaconal internships: Jessup Correctional Institute, GBMC Hospital, Towson; Church of the Resurrection/St. Paul, Ellicott City

Career: Senior director of Strategic Initiatives, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Linthicum; led advanced development programs for customers in the U.S. Department of Defense; previously worked for Technology Service Corporation and Lockheed Martin

Quote: “I want to serve God by serving his Church, helping our brothers and sisters to encounter him. The formation program has helped me grow closer to God and expanded my knowledge of him and his Church.”

Did you know? Patrick and his wife rode their motorcycles to California and back, seeing the beauty of God’s creation up close and encountering him in the many people they met along the way. The journey of 6,780 miles took them through 20 states.

Isaac Lopez Rivera

Age: 48

Home parish: St. Timothy, Walkersville

Education: Instituto Migueleño de Comercio, San Miguel, El Salvador; Bryant High School. Alexandria, Va.

Family: Married to Kenia Lopez for 20 years; five children

Diaconal internships: Frederick Rescue Mission

Career: Faith formation coordinator at St. Timothy, Clarksville; former assistant manager of ABM Cleaning Services, former inventory control auditor of Thermo Fisher Scientific

Quote: “I feel called to the diaconate out of deep gratitude to God and a desire to serve his people with humility. Through my formation, I have grown in pastoral service, especially in accompanying families and forming others in the faith. I look forward to helping others encounter Christ and find support, guidance and hope in the Church.”

Did you know? Rivera has a passion for bilingual ministry, serving both English- and Spanish-speaking communities and helping build unity between them. He also enjoys creating catechetical materials and presentations that help children and families better understand and live their faith.

Phillip James Snyder

Age: 54

Home parish: St. Philip Neri, Linthicum

Education: Chesapeake Senior High School, Pasadena

Family: Married to Cathy Snyder for 27 years; three children

Diaconal internships: St. Jane Frances de Chantel/Our Lady of the Chesapeake, Pasadena

Career: Member of Local #10 of the International Union of Elevator Constructors for 35 years; currently works as lead elevator technician at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

Quote: “What drew me to the diaconate is doing the service work of God, whether I am helping with the Knights of Columbus, taking Communion to the homebound or making visits to the incarcerated. Living the Beatitudes and being able to assist those in need are the things that bring me joy.”

Did you know? Snyder enjoys camping with his family in their travel trailer, going crabbing and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, and watching the Orioles.

Dean Trombley

Age: 63

Home parish: St. Peter the Apostle, Libertytown

Education: George Washington University, Washington D.C.; State University of New York at Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Family: Married to Tina Trombley for 11 years; five children, seven grandchildren

Diaconal internships: Jessup Correctional Institute; St. Ignatius of Loyola, Ijamsville

Career: 32-year U.S. military retired veteran

Quote: “I have a desire to help guide others to our Lord Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to serving those in need of spiritual support and evangelization.”

Darron Cornell Woodus

Age: 56

Home parish: New All Saints, Liberty Heights

Education: University of Maryland Baltimore County; St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute, Roland Park

Family: Married to Renita Woodus for 10 years; four children

Diaconal Internships: St. Bernardine with Historic St. Peter Claver, West Baltimore

Career: Pastoral associate and director of parish operations at Holy Family in Randallstown; former pastoral associate to the urban vicar of the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Quote: “I did not choose the diaconate; God chose me. The calling has been on my heart for 20 years. I was afraid to step out of the boat. The Holy Spirit has moved me to trust Christ. I am most looking forward to teaching the Gospel.”

Did you know? Woodus credits his formation to the many relationships he has with family and friends, for which he said he is “most grateful.”