Denver Catholic

DEACON APPRECIATION I B7 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I AUGUST 13, 2014 BY DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Deacon Michael Bozio Ukrainian native Deacon Michael Bozio is marking the 25th anniversary of his diaconate in Denver this year. He entered diaconal ministry to serve the Lord, he said. He was ordained No- vember 1989. Although officially re- tired from active ministry, he continues to serve the parishioners at Transfigu- ration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in Denver. Deacon Bozio said he most enjoys visiting the sick. He said the greatest challenge of diaconal ministry is bring- ing fallen-away Catholics back to the Church. He is married to his wife of 65 years, Sophia. They have six chil- dren, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In his free time, Deacon Bozio enjoys reading and helping others. Deacon George Fortunato As an active parishioner, Deacon George Fortunato was encouraged by his pastor and fellow parishioners to become a deacon. He was ordained in June 1989. Of his diaconal ministry, Deacon For- tunato said he's most enjoyed "working with people in all matters of service, but especially the poor or disadvantaged." He spends time with his wife of 35 years, Jacqueline. They have three children. "My family has always been a strong supporter of my ministry," he said. Deacon Fortunato has served at Holy Trinity Church in Westminster and St. Ignatius of Antioch in Rangely, where he is still active. He spends his spare time hunting and fishing. He has eight grandchildren. Deacon Brian Kerby One of Deacon Brian Kerby's favorite aspects of the diaconate is "seeing God heal and transform." He said, "I am in awe of his healing power! By being a hospice chaplain and serving the Church, I have been able to see my Lord through love of others— they have been my greatest teachers." Living the new evangelization is also one of the deacon's favorite aspects of his ministry. "We are called to bring his word alive and do signs of charity," he said. "I have a deep love of the Lord and want to serve Him and the people of God." Since his ordination in June 1989 at age 35, Deacon Kerby has ministered at St. Elizabeth Church in Buffalo Creek, St. Mary Church in Littleton and Christ the King Church in Evergreen, where he is still active. He and his wife, Dee, have been mar- ried 39 years. Deacon Kerby has bap- tized each of their four children and 10 grandchildren. They are expecting an- other grandchild. Dee helps Deacon Kerby run the "Intercessors of the Trinity," a prayer ministry. Deacon Kerby said he wishes there were more hours in the day to minister to the "many hurting people who need healing and deliverance." In his spare time he rides his motor- cycle and tandem bike with his wife. He also enjoys water sports and hiking. Deacon Harold Kimble It was through his wife's family that Deacon Harold Kimble, 64, convert- ed to the Catholic faith and became a deacon. After a motorcycle accident put him in the hospital and he risked losing one of his legs, Deacon Kimble saw how his in-laws had trust that God would care for him. "What I saw out of her family was just a very deep faith," he shared. "I guess a trust in God that everything would be OK with me. I wanted part of that." He converted and two years later was ordained in June 1989. He's been mar- ried to his wife Gloria for 46 years. They have two children. Currently, Deacon Kimble is the mar- riage and family life coordinator at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Windsor. He enjoys meeting with families for baptismal classes and trying to draw them closer to God. "I learn a lot from them," he said. "Their different ideas about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. … It's not on- ly helping them it's helping me grow in my faith." He also previously ministered at St. Thérèse Parish in Aurora. Over the last 25 years of his minis- try, although an introvert, he said he's learned to preach and deliver homi- lies. He's also learned to be patient and compassionate with those he meets. In his spare time, Deacon Kimble enjoys fly fishing and fly-tying. He has four grandchildren. Deacon Joseph Meilinger There are so many blessings to the di- aconate, said Deacon Joseph Meilinger said, that it's hard to pick a favorite part of the ministry. "But I believe the one that is most grace-filled and joyful is the baptism of the little babies into the faith. I bap- tized all of my grandchildren and hun- dreds of other children, and it is a real teaching moment for the parents and a grace-filled moment for the children," Deacon Meilinger said. The Chicago native and his wife, Denise, to whom he's been married 52 years, have four children. They now al- so have 11 grandchildren. Deacon Meilinger began his holy or- ders journey by studying for the priest- hood for six years. He left seminary and got married and later decided to become a deacon. He began forma- tion at age 44 and was ordained in June 1989. He worked in sales and market- ing at the former Monfort of Colorado Inc. feed lot and meat packing plant in Greeley. The diaconate has been beneficial to With grateful appreciation for the ministry of DEACON JOSEPH BABISH DEACON TIMOTHY UNGER Priests, Staff and Parishioners of Risen Christ Catholic Parish Father Joseph Cao, the Staff and Parishioners of ST. JOAN OF ARC PARISH send blessings of gratitude as we travel along with you in prayer and spirit. Deacon Rex Pilger Deacon Joseph Gerber Deacon Matt Archer Deacon Hugh Downey The Parishioners and Staff of Immaculate Conception Parish Thank you for your faithful service. Deacon Oscar Del Villar & Deacon Jim Wolfe Jubilarian 25-year deacons say ministry is humbling, inspiring and grace-filled DEACON MICHAEL BOZIO DEACON GEORGE FORTUNATO DEACON BRIAN KERBY DEACON HAROLD KIMBLE DEACON JOSEPH MEILINGER DEACON LEO OEHRLE DEACON WILLIAM TREWARTHA DEACON MARTIN WAGER See 25-year deacons, Page B8 the Im- Thérèse In 1985, the Plains addition to began serv- Aurora. reasons. and sin- vocation," said of dea- suffering, he son Kert, grand-

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