In preparation for ordination each man who would be a permanent deacon makes a canonical retreat and offers a solemn Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith. This is their final step toward receiving the grace of ordination. For on their day of ordination, their lives will change as well as the lives of the many people they will encounter in their ministry.
And yes, as years advance, each permanent deacon grows in appreciation for the loving support of their wives and families, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the wise counsel of their pastor, and especially their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, she becomes their teacher. She is their:
- Teacher of Faith – teaching them to hear the Word and to proclaim it faithfully.
- Teacher of Charity – teaching them to give themselves totally to the service of the People of God.
- Teacher of Prayer – teaching them to come to know the value of prayer.
- Teacher of Humility – teaching them the greatness of being the least of all.
- Teacher of that Service which is hidden – teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love.
In their devotion to Mary and through the sanctifying grace of God, the following permanent deacons bring the person of Jesus to all they serve. Today we celebrate with them the anniversary of their ordination and the giving of themselves to serve the Church of Charlotte.
40 Years
Deacon Clarke E. Cochran, 76, and his wife Anne relocated to North Carolina from Lubbock, Texas, in 2017. Deacon Cochran was ordained Feb. 14, 1981, for the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas. In 1983 he was incardinated into the newly established Diocese of Lubbock, where he was the first director of the permanent diaconate. In his diaconal roles, he served for nearly 37 years at St. John Neumann Parish in Lubbock and was involved in the areas of social justice, preaching, teaching and liturgical service. As a retired deacon he remains active in similar ministries at St. Peter Church in Charlotte and teaches on the diocesan level within the candidate and deacon formation programs.
Deacon Cochran and Anne live in Indian Trail, and in August they will celebrate 54 years of marriage.
35 years
Deacon Jeffrey S. Evers, 78, was ordained for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., on May 3, 1986. He served at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Deer Park, N.Y., for many years after ordination. In 2000 he and his wife Barbara moved to North Carolina. After serving for a time at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, he was assigned to St. Luke Church in Mint Hill, where after retirement in 2018, he still actively serves. He and his wife Barbara have three children and seven grandchildren, and live in Matthews. They will celebrate 58 years of marriage this August.
Deacon H. Paul Herman, 84, was ordained for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., on June 28, 1986. He served at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbell, Conn., for 20 years. In 2007 he and his wife Elizabeth relocated to Charlotte, where he was assigned to St. Matthew Church. He was granted formal retirement in 2012 upon reaching the age of 75 and continues in limited ministry. Deacon Herman’s wife Elizabeth passed away in 2017, just after they had celebrated 55 years of marriage. He still resides in Charlotte.
Deacon Darío García Ospina, 70, was ordained Nov. 30, 1986, in Pereira, Colombia, where for many years he helped in the formation of candidates for the permanent diaconate. In 2012 he was granted faculties for the Diocese of Charlotte and was appointed to serve the Hispanic community for the Hickory Vicariate. In this capacity he travels to many parishes, where he brings his own faith journey with him in ministering to groups and to individuals. He and his wife Adiela live in Statesville and will celebrate 47 years of marriage this December.
30 years
Deacon Paul A, Liotard, 83, was ordained for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., on May 25, 1991. After ordination he served at St. Mary Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and at Annunciation Parish in Wayne, N.J. He then served for three years in the Diocese of Scranton, at Saint Mary of the Mount Church in Mount Pocono, Pa. In 2006, he and his wife Rosemary relocated to North Carolina, where he served at Holy Angels Parish in Mount Airy before retiring from active ministry in 2011. Deacon Liotard and Rosemary live in Kernersville and will celebrate 62 years of marriage this November.
25 years
Deacon Lawrence P. O’Toole, 80, was ordained for the Archdiocese of New York on June 1, 1996, by the late Cardinal John O’Connor. After ordination he served as the New York Medical College’s university chaplain, creating a parish-like campus community for students, and he was assigned to St. Augustine Church in New York City, his home for 30 years. He and his wife Judy now live in Indian Trail. In 2011, he was assigned to St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, where in 2016 he retired and remains active. Deacon O’Toole and Judy have three daughters and five grandchildren, and have been married for 57 years.
20 years
Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan, 63, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte and assigned to St. Joseph Church in Newton. In 2007, he was appointed assistant director of formation and then in 2011 as director of formation, where he served until 2019. Currently he is the director of the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory. Deacon Gilfillan and his wife Kimberly live in Catawba and have been married for 39 years.
Deacon Pierre M. K’Briuh, 83, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001. After ordination he was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Greensboro. A native of Vietnam who became a naturalized citizen, he continues to assist at the parish with the Montagnard community even though he is formally retired. He and his wife Anna live in Greensboro and are celebrating 58 years of marriage this month.
Deacon David E. King, 73, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001, and was assigned to Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville. He was also assigned to ministry at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point, a retirement and skilled care facility founded by the Poor Servants of the Mother of God. With a growing ministry at the facility, he was asked in 2007 to dedicate himself full-time to serving there. He lives in Thomasville.
Deacon R. Alexander Lyerly, 77, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001. His first assignment was to St. Elizabeth Church in Boone. In 2006 Deacon Lyerly was assigned to St. Bernadette Church in Linville, where he served until retirement from active ministry in 2014. He is also a retired Chief District Court Judge for North Carolina. Deacon Lyerly and his wife Brenda, who will celebrate 46 years of marriage this year, live in Banner Elk.
Deacon James J. Mazur, 62, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. Since he was a practicing medical doctor and surgeon, Deacon Mazur was also asked to support and serve local pro-life ministry efforts. He and his wife Colleen live near the church in Salisbury and will celebrate 30 years of marriage in July.
Deacon Mark D. Nash, 61, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 23, 2001, and was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, where he was a member of the parish staff. In 2004 Deacon Nash helped establish a permanent diaconate endowment fund. He now serves Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville, and until recently worked for Catholic Charities. He and his wife Heidi, who will celebrate 36 years of marriage in December, live in Mill Spring.
Deacon Michael J. Zboyovski, 69, was ordained June 23, 2001, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination he was assigned to St. Eugene Church in Asheville and serves in ministries such as RCIA, prison outreach and pastoral care to the sick and homebound. For the diocese, he serves as a RCIA commissioner and is the Asheville Regional Coordinator for deacons. Deacon Zboyovski and his wife Jan, who will celebrate 44 years of marriage in December, live in Weaverville.
15 years
Deacon Lee T. Levenson, 76, was ordained Sept. 9, 2006, for the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla. After ordination he was assigned to St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach, Fla. Upon arrival to North Carolina in 2015, he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jefferson, where he still serves. He is involved in all aspects of parish life and leads the parish’s faith formation program. Deacon Levenson and his wife Alice live in Deep Gap and have been married for 56 years.
Deacon John Szarek, 61, was ordained May 28, 2006, for the Archdiocese of Chicago. For the next 13 years he served St. Ansgar Parish in Hanover Park, Ill., with ministry to the homebound and to people in hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. He was also a diaconate council member. Since 2020, he has served at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Sylva, where he is involved in those same ministries. He and his wife Susan live in Franklin and will celebrate 28 years of marriage in October.
Deacon James L. Atkinson, 80, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte and was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Denver, where he served for 11 years. In 2017 he and his wife Penny relocated to Irmo, S.C., in the Diocese of Charleston. Assigned to Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Chapin, S.C., he is a tribunal advocate, serves in RCIA ministry, and especially during this pandemic, serves homebound parishioners’ needs. Deacon Atkinson and Penny will celebrate 56 years of marriage in July.
Deacon David P. Boissey Sr., 66, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he served Good Shepherd Mission in King, and in 2009 he was assigned to St. Benedict Church in Greensboro. Returning in 2014 to Good Shepherd, he now serves as the parish’s faith formation director and supports family life and outreach ministries. He has served on the Deacon Association Board. He and his wife Vicki, who have been married for 45 years, live in King.
Deacon Mark S. Diener, 66, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. He and his wife Kathy live in Charlotte, where his first assignment was to St. Gabriel Church. In 2012 he was appointed diocesan spiritual director of Cursillo, and he also served as spiritual advisor for Cursillo Region VII for six years. He now serves at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte and is a tribunal advocate. He and Kathy will celebrate 42 years of marriage in August.
Deacon Walter J. Haarsgaard, 80, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point, where he and his wife Margaret have been long-time members. In serving the parish, he is the director of faith formation and is a patient volunteer and chaplain for Piedmont Hospice. Deacon Haarsgaard and Margaret live in High Point and will celebrate 38 years of marriage in October.
Deacon Edward A. Konarski, 68, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. Upon ordination, he was assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, where he and his wife Cindy live. In 2012 he was appointed to a three-year term to the diocesan board of Catholic Charities and named assistant director of candidate formation. He currently serves as director. He and Cindy will celebrate 40 years of marriage in November.
Deacon John T. Kopfle, 64, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination his assignment was to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte and to Hospital Ministry. He has served this parish for 15 years with ministry to those homebound, in hospitals and nursing homes always a main focus. For the diocese, he served as the regional director for Charlotte-area deacons for nine years. He and his wife Nancy are active in diocesan events and have been married for 38 years.
Deacon Larry G. Lisk, 76, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. Since ordination, he has remained very involved with prison ministry, both at Central Prison with events in Raleigh and assisting with the Forsyth County Jail ministry. As an active retired deacon, he is assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro. He and his wife Mary, who live in Greensboro, will celebrate 54 years of marriage in September.
Deacon John A. Martino, 70, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. His first assignment was to Our Lady of the Angels Church in Marion and to Catholic Charities. Now assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton, he is active in prison ministry and volunteers as a hospital chaplain three days each month. He was assigned as director of the permanent diaconate in 2016. He and his wife Terri, who have been married for 51 years, live in Morganton.
Deacon Brian P. McNulty, 65, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination he was first assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte and to hospital ministry. Currently assigned to St. Patrick Cathedral, he and Michelle are the parents of Father Paul McNulty, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville. Residents of Charlotte, Deacon McNulty and Michelle will celebrate 41 years of marriage this August.
Deacon Robert T. Murphy, 80, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. He was assigned after ordination to St. Mark Church in Huntersville, where he was active in Hispanic Ministry as well as general parish and outreach ministries. After 10 years of diaconal ministry, Deacon Murphy was granted retirement in 2016. Deacon Murphy and his wife Angeles live in Huntersville, where they celebrated 58 years of marriage in March.
Deacon A. Stephen Pickett, 66, was ordained June 10, 2006, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir, where he still serves today. In February 2020 he presented the deacons’ continuing education session titled “Authentically African-American and Authentically Catholic.” He and his wife Deboriah live in Lenoir, and they will celebrate 31 years of marriage this November.
Deacon Kevin B. Williams, 63, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 10, 2006. After ordination he was appointed to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte, where he currently serves as youth minister and RCIA director. In addition he was appointed to Airport Ministry, where he is still very active. In 2012 he was certified as a spiritual director. Deacon Williams and his wife Theresa live in Charlotte, and this month they are celebrating 43 years of marriage.
10 years
Deacon W. Dave Powers, 66, was ordained for the Diocese of Arlington, Va., on Jan. 15, 2011. In 2016, he and his wife Susan moved to Waxhaw. Now assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Monroe, he serves in parish ministry, as tribunal advocate and director of faith formation. Incardinated into the Charlotte diocese in 2020, he serves on the
Deacon Association Board and Diocesan Prison Ministry Committee. Deacon Powers and his wife Susan will celebrate 35 years of marriage in October.
Deacon Enedino S. Aquino, 63, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte. His assignment after being ordained was to Hispanic Ministry within the Greensboro Vicariate. As he continues this very active role, he performs baptisms and ministers to groups and individuals in support of their faith as families. Deacon Aquino and his wife Maria Luisa live in Asheboro, and they will celebrate 46 years of marriage this November.
Deacon Daren S. Bitter, 54, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte and has served at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte since then. As part of his ministry, he actively supports the Missionaries of the Poor and has led several mission trips to Haiti. He is a Catholic Relief Services Global Fellow and is a knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Deacon Bitter and his wife Michelle live in Charlotte and will celebrate 27 years of marriage in August.
Deacon Michael Martini, 59, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on Jan. 29, 2011. After ordination he was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro, where he still serves. In 2016 he was appointed diocesan spiritual advisor for Cursillo and in 2019 he became the spiritual advisor for National Cursillo Region VII. He continues to serve in both roles. Deacon Martini and his wife Christina will celebrate 34 years of marriage this August.
Deacon David S. Reiser, 71, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte. Since ordination he has been assigned to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte, where he serves in family life and outreach ministries and is the parish’s business manager. In June he was appointed executive director and chaplain of Airport Ministry, a ministry he has served for many years. Deacon Reiser and his wife Maria live in Charlotte and will celebrate 36 years of marriage in October.
Deacon Martin Ricart III, 58, was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on Jan. 29, 2011. He and his wife Milly reside in Harrisburg. Upon ordination he was assigned to St. James Church in Concord, and in 2016 he was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, where he currently serves. In addition, since 2015 he has served as Catholic Scouting advisor for the diocese. Deacon Ricart and his wife Milly will celebrate 24 years of marriage in November.
Deacon William H. Wilson, 59, was ordained Jan. 29, 2011, for the Diocese of Charlotte. After ordination Deacon Wilson was assigned to Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, where he and his wife Therese are members. He is a minister of the Word, supports all liturgical ministries, serves parish family life and outreach programs, and is a tribunal advocate. Residents of Belmont, he and Terri will celebrate 24 years of marriage in November.