Detroit — The Archdiocese of Detroit recognized permanent deacons who are celebrating significant anniversaries of their ordination this year at a May 6 Mass and dinner at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

Cardinal Adam Maida was principal celebrant.

This year seven deacons are celebrating 35-year-anniversaries, six are marking 30 years, six are celebrating 25 years of service, five marking 20 years, nine marking 15 years, and five observing their five-year ordination anniversary.

Two of this year's 35-year jubilarians — Deacons Archie Noon and Jesus Vasquez — responded to requests to discuss their diaconal ministry with Michigan Catholic reporter Robert Delaney.

Deacon Archie J. Noon

Deacon Noon

Deacon Noon, 89, has had senior deacon status since 2002, but he is hardly retired. He continues to serve as a chaplain at Providence Hospital in Novi and has also been serving the new parish-in-formation in Davisburg, which will be called Divine Mercy Parish.

Deacon Noon was born in Detroit, and grew up in St. Dominic and St. Leo parishes on the city's near west side. He attended St. Dominic grade school and high school.

He married Margaret Henfrey, and they had four daughters, Bridget Taulbee, Erin Ostin, Susan Sheffler-Noon and Deidre McCarthy, and two sons, Edward and Brian. They have 26 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

After service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Deacon Noon pursued a career in insurance, real estate and finance.

He took some college classes at the University of Detroit, and did his diaconal studies at Sacred Heart Seminary College, earning a bachelor's degree. He was ordained a deacon in July 1972 at St. Mary of the Snows Church in Milford by Bishop Walter J. Schoenherr.

Deacon Noon served at the Milford parish, but also held an archdiocesan post. "Cardinal (John) Dearden wanted a health care chaplaincy established, so I ran that office for 15 years," he says.

But Deacon Noon speaks most enthusiastically about his parish work: "The whole process of preparing the family for baptism, and then the baptizing the infant, was the highlight of my parish ministry.

"I baptized approximately 100 children a year for 30 years, so that's 30 times 100 — just think of all those kids running around out there!"

And he adds, "In fact, I had the opportunity to do some weddings of kids I baptized."

Another highlight of his diaconal ministry came in 2002, he says, when he and Msgr. Robert Humitz served as chaplains at that year's Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Deacon Jesus Vasquez

Deacon Vasquez

Deacon Vasquez, 79, has senior deacon status, but that doesn't keep him from still helping out at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Pontiac, where he was assigned during his years of active diaconal ministry.

Although he was born in Capac, his elementary and high school education was in Mexico, after his parents moved back there when he was 5. But Deacon Vasquez returned to the United States in 1945, and worked at various jobs until he went to work for General Motors in Pontiac, from which he retired after 42 years.

He married Victorina Gonzalez in 1955, and they had two daughters, Irma (who died in infancy) and Raquel, and three sons, Jose, Joel and Alberto.

He did his diaconal studies at St. Vincent de Paul Parish under the direction of Fr. James Sheen, and in May 1972 he became one of the first group of Spanish-speaking deacons to be ordained in the United States.

Deacon Vasquez recalls those early years of the restored permanent diaconate as an exciting time. "There was a kind of renewal of the Church, with a lot of activities and the Cursillo movement and the Charismatic movement," he says.

Over the years he has enjoyed his responsibilities, assisting at funerals, baptisms and liturgies, Deacon Vasquez continues.

"It is a great blessing to be able to serve God as a deacon," he adds.

Deacon jubilarians 35 years Deacon Stanley Belanger, senior status Deacon Richard F. Conlin, senior status Deacon Archie J. Noon Deacon Rafael Rivera Deacon Brigido Rodriguez Deacon Fernando Valdez Deacon Jesus Vasquez 30 years Deacon Wesley O. Cousino, senior status Deacon Leo F. D'Argis, senior status Deacon James R. Gennette, SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Sterling Heights Deacon Edwrd Gergosian, senior status Deacon Michael M. Ingels, St. Mary Parish, Monroe Deacon Laurence V. Sullivan, Sacred Heart Parish, Roseville 25 years Deacon Ronald Channell, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, St. Clair Shores Deacon Douglas Jackson Jr., St. Cecilia Parish, Detroit Deacon Wilhelm Kessler, St. Louise de Marillac Parish, Warren Deacon Michael J. Markulike, senior status Deacon Paul F. Pelchat, senior status Deacon Charles G. Skubick, senior status 20 years Deacon Robert N. DeWitt, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Dearborn Heights Deacon Thomas Donnelly, serving outside archdiocese Deacon Terrance E. Downey, St. Germaine Parish, St. Clair Shores Deacon Anthony J. Morici, St. Lawrence Parish, Utica Deacon Joseph A. Mouro, awaiting assignment 15 years Deacon Valere Buyle, St. Jude Parish, Detroit Deacon John J. Connors, St. Joseph Parish, Port Huron Deacon James Igoe, St. Richard Parish, Westland Deacon William E. Jamieson, Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Grosse Pointe Woods Deacon Anthony Kendzierski, St. Isidore Parish, Macomb Township Deacon Richard P. Shubik, St. Paul on the Lake Parish, Grosse Pointe Farms Deacon Mavin L. Strzyzewski, senior status Deacon William A. Thome, St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish, Taylor Deacon Arthur W. Van Brook, Holy Spirit Parish, Highland Township 5 years Deacon Andrew Fairbanks, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Madison Heights Deacon Kenneth Fry, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Northville Deacon Steven M. Mitchell, St. Joseph Parish, Lake Orion Deacon Robert B. Schwartz, St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Sterling Heights Deacon Kenneth Trabbic, St. Stephen Parish, Temperance