Andy Gonzalez Ordained To The Permanent Diaconate

Amarillo—Andres “Andy” Gonzalez of St. Laurence Church was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek during a Mass Sept. 30 at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Deacon Gonzalez was the 16th man ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop Zurek for the Diocese of Amarillo this year. On June 4, also at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Zurek ordained 15 to the Permanent Diaconate:

• Deacon Louis Artho of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dalhart;
• Deacon Joe Beauchamp of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Dumas;
• Deacon Bob Birkenfeld of Holy Family Church, Nazareth;
• Deacon Teodoro Chávez of St. Ann’s Church, Bovina;
• Deacon Stan Drozell of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Amarillo;
• Deacon Jackie Gunnels of Church of the Holy Spirit, Tulia;
• Deacon Paul Herrera Jr. of Immaculate Conception of Mary Church, Dimmitt;
• Deacon Ricky Mendez III of San Jose Church, Hereford;
• Deacon Pablo Morales of St. Laurence Church, Amarillo;
• Deacon Manuel Moreno of Immaculate Conception Church, Perryton;
• Deacon Rene Perez of Blessed Sacrament Church, Amarillo;
• Deacon David Rausch Jr. of St. Ann’s Church, Canyon;
• Deacon Miguel Tovar of St. Laurence Church, Amarillo;
• Deacon Phil Whitson of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Amarillo; and,
• Deacon Henry Wilhelm of Holy Family Church, Nazareth.

Deacon Gonzalez’ ordination ended a 4 ½ year process that began in January 2007, requiring a significant time commitment of 64 hours of more per month. It also increased the number of Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Amarillo to 54, serving 29 parishes.

Deacon Gonzalez was assigned to St. Laurence Church, Amarillo, effective Oct. 1.