New deacons to be sentinels, looking for Jesus in the poor and on the outskirts

After four years of formation and discernment, eight men will be ordained permanent deacons Saturday, May 3, at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

Though their lives and backgrounds are varied, the men share some common qualities, according to Deacon Tim McNeil, chancellor of the archdiocese and director of the diaconate office.

“Pope Francis described the qualities of a deacon as being humble, good spouses, fathers and grandparents,” Deacon McNeil said.

Deacons are expected “to act as sentinels, helping the Christian community recognize Jesus in the poor and those who seem distant, as He knocks on our doors through them.

“Pope Francis would take pride in the men ordained this Saturday.”

Those who are about to be ordained shared a little about themselves.

Michael Campie

Michael Campie and his wife, Sarah

Parish: Saint Columbkille, Papillion

Family: Married to Sarah since 2002. They have two children: Isaac, a freshman at Gross Catholic High School in Bellevue, and Izzy, a senior at Marian High School in Omaha.

Profession: Employed at Union Pacific Railroad

Active ministries: Baptism prep, marriage ministry and homeless ministry

About the call to the diaconate: In 2020, I felt like I was being called to do something different for the Church as I was concluding my time on the school board.  Shortly after I was asked to come to an information session on the diaconate, and here I am nearly 5 years later.  I know God has called me to serve Him and His Church in this unique way – but it’s still hard for me to believe this is happening! I keep reflecting on Isaiah – Here I am, Lord, Send Me! – and each day trying to carry out His will in my life. My faith and parish community have always been a source of joy and inspiration, and I know that God will offer all the graces I need to serve His Church as a deacon.

Plans after ordination: I have no idea where God will take me and my family after ordination, but trusting in His plan and love for us, we are excited for what lies ahead!

John Joseph Cavanaugh

John Cavanaugh and his wife, Julia

Parish: St. Columbkille

Family: Married to Julia for 36 years. They have five children: two daughters-in-law and a grandchild. The children: Jeff (and his wife, Anna), David (and his wife, Megan, and their daughter, Elizabeth), Mark, Teresa and Megan.

Activities/ministries: Scouts, teen faith and Alpha

About the call to the diaconate: My spiritual journey has been inspired by several events but the most memorable are raising children in the faith, CEC (Christians Encounter Christ) involvement, multiple National Catholic Youth Conferences (NCYC) and Steubenville retreats, and most recently, Alpha. Julie and I are looking forward to this next chapter in our lives.

Plans after ordination: A ministry I am interested in is couple prayer, teaching couples to pray together to grow their relationship with their spouse and Christ. Also, Julie and I have been doing Alpha courses for the women at Mater Filius and I believe this will continue. I am also interested in prison ministry.

Arturo Hernandez

Arturo Hernandez and his wife, Maria Trinidad Diaz Hernandez

Parish: St. Michael Parish, South Sioux City

Family: Married to Maria Trinidad Diaz Hernandez for 33 years. They have two sons, a daughter and 15 grandchildren.

Profession: Car detailer and other positions at an auto body shop

Activities/ministries: Active at his parish for 20 years

About the call to the diaconate: While serving in my parish, I felt God calling me to something more, to go beyond simply helping with the collection. I never doubted the call to do more. One day, a preacher came to my parish, looked at me, and said, “Why don’t you consider the diaconate?” That question sparked something in me. Later, Father (David) Fulton, when he was at St. Michael’s, also encouraged me. And finally, when Father Mike Keating came to the parish, despite my limited education, his support gave me the final push. But the final step came when my wife said “yes.” That was the moment I knew it was time to answer the call. And here we are … to serve the Lord.

James Elton Horacek

Jim Horacek and his wife, Emily

Parish: St. Columbkille

Family: Married to Emily for 26 years. They have six children: Grace, Jake, Claire, Gabe, Will and Henry.

Profession: Former CIA analyst, supervisor and instructor who is now a defense contractor at U.S. Strategic Command

Activities/ministries: Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, acolyte, coach for youth baseball and basketball, director of a St. Columbkille USSSA select baseball program he formed, Communion-service leader for a retirement community and a hospice volunteer

About the call to the diaconate: I was first inspired to consider the diaconate as a teenager by Deacon Jack Coplen, one of the first permanent deacons in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who served at my home parish of St. Francis de Sales in Sherman Oaks, CA.  I was encouraged by Deacon Tracy Ortgies — a friend and fellow St. Columbkille baseball coach — and my pastor at the time, the late Father Dave Reeson, to apply to diaconate formation in 2020. The application process to the diaconate was harder than applying to the CIA! 

Plans after ordination: Formation has been a time of tremendous self-reflection and spiritual growth for me, and I cannot wait to serve the people of St. Columbkille and the Our Lady of Peace Community at Offutt AFB, where I attend daily Mass and have been given permission to assist as a deacon in the Archdiocese for the Military, USA.

Phillip Joseph LaSala

Phil LaSala and his wife, Carolyn

Parish: St. Columbkille

Family: Married to Carolyn for 31 years. Their family includes a son, Thomas, who is an archdiocesan seminarian studying in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a daughter, Maria, and her husband, Thomas Baumert, who reside in San Antonio.

Profession: Retired Air Force officer, and recently retired from service as a director and strategic advisor in the archdiocesan curia

Primary Ministries: Spiritual direction, marriage preparation, jail ministry

About the call to the diaconate: I grew up in a loving Catholic family and graduated from a Jesuit high school in Kansas City, MO. Despite this solid foundation, my engagement with my Catholic faith ebbed and flowed throughout my young adulthood, even after getting married and starting a family. Looking back, I can see how the Holy Spirit has been gently tugging at my heart throughout my life. I first began to sense a calling to the diaconate about 15 years ago, around the time I was experiencing a spiritual awakening.  I essentially entered into a second career, completing a master’s degree in theology, becoming a certified spiritual director and eventually entering into professional Church service, first on the parish staff at St. Columbkille and later on the archdiocesan staff at the chancery. The Lord’s call to the diaconate has grown stronger over time, and I look forward to continuing my life as a servant minister of Jesus Christ and his Church.

Plans after ordination: Serving the Archbishop of Omaha, ministering at St. Columbkille and remaining open to wherever the Lord might be calling next.

José Guadalupe Lara Rodriguez

José Lara Rodriguez and his wife, Consepcion Mayorga

Parish: Assumption-Guadalupe, Omaha

Family: Married to Consepcion Mayorga for 30 years. They have four children: Anahi Lara, José, Eduardo and Camila, and three grandchildren: Emiliano Cervantes, Viviana Lara and Valentina Lara.

Profession: Maintenance 

Activities/ministries: Choir director, Cursillo Movement, Safe Environment trainer, FOCCUS marriage ministries 

About the call to the diaconate: God calls everybody, we just need to open our hearts and answer to the call of God. It could be different for everybody, but God is calling us to get closer to Him.

Plans after ordination: I am open to any ministries my pastor will assign me.

Andrew Paul Ryba

Andy Ryba and his wife, Teresa

Parish: St. James, Omaha

Family: Married to Teresa, with their marriage convalidated in 2016. They have six children: Ryan Moffitt, Mackenzie Moffitt, Madison Moffitt, Tyler Moffitt, Kyle Moffitt and Jackson Ryba.

Profession: Campaign manager for the Steier Group, managing capital fundraising efforts primarily for Catholic churches, schools and dioceses

Activities/ministries: Co-facilitator of That Man Is You!, music ministry, jail ministry.

About the call to the diaconate: Answering the call to the diaconate has been the greatest journey I have taken, and formation has been an extraordinarily humbling experience but grace-filled at the same time. From the coursework to serving God’s people to growing my prayer life, I feel truly blessed to be part of this amazing community. There are many people who have been supportive of my discernment and who have prayed for me these past four years, and I am grateful to them all. However, words can’t describe how blessed I am to have Teresa by my side throughout my discernment. She has been my rock! 

Plans after ordination: Following ordination, I plan to continue my current ministries and also will begin helping with baptism classes at my parish.

Kyle Kevin Uhing

Kyle Uhing and his wife, Michaela

Parish: Holy Trinity, Hartington

Family: Married to Michaela for nine years. They have four children: Lily, Emily, James and John.

Profession: Hydrogeologist

Activities/ministries: Holy Communion to the homebound and those in a nursing home, director of religious education for seventh and eighth grade CCD, Knights of Columbus, Serra Club and Christians Encounter Christ (CEC)

About the call to the diaconate: God’s plan has always been better than my own, and I am finding that my call is the fulfillment of what I have wanted all along and more. God is so good and provides for all that we need. He has graciously led me down this path, and I am excited to see how He continues to work with, in, and through me. 

Plans after ordination: I plan to continue serving the Lord in the ways He calls me, particularly at the altar and in teaching our youth. 

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