Bishop Schlert Ordains Transitional Deacon

(Photos by John Simitz)

Bishop Alfred Schlert administered the Sacrament of Ordination by ordaining Juan Eduardo Rodriguez a transitional deacon during the Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate on Saturday, May 18 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

As a transitional deacon, Rodriguez will share God’s word, bring Viaticum to the dying, celebrate funerals, assist with and bless marriages, baptize, instruct people in the faith and perform works of charity.

Rodriguez, 46, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. After graduating from Liceo Nocturno Los Alcarrizos High School, Santo Domingo in 1992, he graduated as a graphic designer from the University of Santo Domingo in 1997 with a degree in graphic design.

“From a very young age, I was raised and educated in the Catholic faith. When I was a teenager, I was an altar server. And when I was a young adult, I served as a catechist, lector and singer. As an adult, I served as the religious education officer of my parish in the Dominican Republic,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is the son of Eduardo and Juana Rodriguez of Allentown.

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