Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila will celebrate a bilingual — English and Spanish — deacons ordination Mass at 10 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The six men have been studying through the Denver Archdiocese’s St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons for more than five years. One of the men also took classes at Centro San Juan Diego, the archdiocese’s Hispanic institute for family and pastoral care. All of the men are originally from Mexico.This is the third class of deacons in the archdiocese to have received their formation in the Spanish language.
Deacon Candidate Arturo Araiza
Arturo Araiza, 43, an Alliance Residential employee, was born and reared in Juarez. He and his wife, Yolanda, have been married for eight years. They have a daughter, Sarai. Araiza also has a daughter Denise and a son Arturo Jr. who live in San Diego. Araiza and his family are parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua in Denver. Araiza first heard about the diaconate program when he was studying philosophy at a seminary in Juarez. His spiritual adviser suggested Araiza consider becoming a deacon when he left the seminary. Twenty years later when he was in the United States, a deacon friend also encouraged him to consider the vocation. “My heart shuddered at the thought, and for a moment I was filled with fear,” Araiza recalled. “However, God did not relent.” His studies allowed him to grow intellectually and spiritually. He is looking forward to ministering to youth and those dealing with substance abuse. “My wife, Yoli, also plays an important role given her humility and openness,” he said. “She is always in tune with my actions and ready to support me.”
Deacon Candidate Pedro Mota
Pedro Mota, 48, a construction worker, was born and reared in Durango. He and his wife, Leticia, have been married for 27 years and have four children, Pedro, Daniel, Luzemma and Odalys. They are members of Our Lady of Peace in Greeley. Mota was working in Greeley when he felt God call him to be a deacon. “I, at one time, lived in a world where money and pleasure were at work,” he said. “By the mercy of the Lord, he took me out of there to live in the light. “Just as our Lord Jesus Christ did with me, so can I (help others through diaconal ministry).” Like his fellow deacon classmates, Mota learned more about the Church during his diaconal studies, including expansive reviews of Scripture and canon law. “It was an interesting formation,” he said.
Deacon Candidate Antonio Guerrero
Antonio Guerrero, 48, the director of religious education at St. Dominic Parish in northwest Denver, was born in Candelaria and reared in Zacatecas. He and his wife, Maria, have been married for 18 years and have two children, Samuel and Analicia. They are members of St. Dominic’s. Guerrero was involved in lay ministries over the years but never quite felt satisfied.”I felt the Lord was calling me into a deeper relationship with him and a deeper commitment to his people,” he said. His wife supported his decision to become a deacon and prayed for him along with their children. Guerrero is also grateful for the encouragement and prayers from their parish.He looks forward to ministering to the Hispanic community while also balancing the needs of his family. “I pray that I will be able to apply the knowledge and training I have received so that through this service the community will grow in their personal relationship with the Lord and one another,” he said.
Deacon Candidate Mario Alberto Vielma
Mario Alberto Vielma, 49, a King Soopers employee, was born and raised in Torreon. He and his wife, Maricela, have been married for 24 years and have two children, Mara and Mario Jr. They are members of Holy Cross Parish in Thornton. Vielma attended a spiritual retreat in 2003 and from then on felt he was called to do more in his parish community. A few years passed and others encouraged him to become a deacon but he resisted. Still, he felt in his heart God’s call and when a friend reminded him his work would benefit the Hispanic community he began the diaconate program.”The Hispanic population is growing and I hope to help because there needs to be more spiritual guides,” he said. “Our studies taught us how to work with people, especially young adults who are in need of God.”
Deacon Candidate JoséAntonio Rodríguez
José Antonio Rodríguez, 47, who previously worked in the hotel industry, was born and reared in Chihuahua. He is single and a member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Longmont. Rodríguez moved to Longmont in 2000 from Mexico. Ten years ago, he felt a strong need to give his life to Jesus. He joined St. John the Baptist Parish and credits two priests for encouraging him to be a deacon. “All of us are called to serve Christ because he is our Lord and Savior,” Rodríguez said. “He has called me to a spiritual service. I follow Christ with obedience and love to the word of God. I have committed myself to the Church and its authority to help the needs of our people and our community.” Rodríguez hopes to be a humble and simple servant who reflects Christ and brings light where there is darkness and happiness where there is sadness, he said.
Deacon Candidate Roberto Cuevas
Roberto Cuevas, 43, a U.S. postal carrier, was born in Toluca and reared in Puebla. He and his wife, Felicitas, have been married for 16 years and have three children, Jesús, Roberto and Rafael. They are members of Ascension Parish in Denver. Cuevas views the call to be a deacon as a gift from God. And like Christ, he desires to serve and not to be served. “I learned to share the blessings that God has given us: our faith and the graces we receive in baptism and in the sacraments,” he said. Cuevas looks forward to growing daily in the graces of ordination and being available to serve in Christ’s name. “God has called me to serve the Church and prepare for Christ a people devoted to every good work,” he said. Cuevas plans to help the community in charity and to console others as Christ consoles us, he said.
