CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis announces the appointment of Deacon Stephen V. Puscas as a permanent deacon for Immaculate Conception Parish in Forest City effective Feb. 11.
From Aurora, Ill., Deacon Stephen and his wife Sue relocated to Nebo to live in a milder climate and to be in an area of the country that they became fond of while on a family reunion. They have three biological children, two adopted children and five grandchildren.
Born March 1, 1952, in Aurora, Ill., he was baptized and confirmed in the Romanian Byzantine Rite on March 23, 1952, and grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. This provided a strong foundation for his becoming a permanent deacon. He was ordained Oct. 18, 2003, for the Diocese of Rockford by Bishop Thomas Doran.
During his almost 16 years of diaconal service, he has given of himself in many ways in terms of his family life and in support of his ministry. Father Kenneth Wasilewski, director of the permanent diaconate for the Rockford diocese, said Deacon Stephen has served in both a parish and school setting. He is an accomplished teacher and has a master’s degree in theology.
At Saint Mary Parish in Rockford, he and his wife were involved in juvenile cancer research, prison ministry, and support for unwed and incarcerated mothers. He also was a spiritual advisor for the parish youth group and a member of the parish’s ecumenical council.
— Deacon John Martino
CHARLOTTE — Nearly 300 men attended the ninth annual Charlotte Catholic Men’s Conference March 16 at St. Patrick Cathedral.
During the conference, entitled “Fight Like a Man,” participants were treated to powerful talks on Catholic manhood by Father Richard Sutter of Waynesville, Father David Miller of Lincolnton, and Doug Barry of EWTN’s “Battle Ready.”
Carolina Catholic Radio Network broadcast live from the parish’s Family Life Center throughout the day-long event.