September 10, 2004

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
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Archbishop Vlazny to ordain three permanent deacons

        Archbishop John G. Vlazny will ordain three men as permanent deacons on Saturday, October 16. The Mass of Ordination will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception beginning at 10:00 a.m. Those to be ordained are Jesus Ignacio Espinoza, Charles Melvin Amsberry, and Marco Tulio Espinoza. All three men are married. As permanent deacons, they will be able to perform baptisms, witness and bless marriages, preside at funerals, proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass in addition to their ministry of service to the Church. The permanent diaconate was re-established in the Church following the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council.

        Jesus Ignacio Espinoza was born in Cuidad Delicias, Mexico. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Mexico, graduating from high school in 1986. He has attended Mt. Hood Community College and Portland Community College. In addition to diaconal formation, his ministry training has included completing the Hispanic Ministry Formation Certificate program from the Archdiocese of Portland. His ministry assignments have included Hispanic Ministry, Campo Azul, and Prison Ministry. He is married and the father of three children. Mr. Espinoza is a member of the North Portland Catholic Community.

        Charles Melvin Amsberry was born in York, PA. He attended Sacred Heart Academy in Klamath Falls, OR, and graduated from Regis High School in Stayton, OR in 1969. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Mt. Angel Seminary College in 1973. He completed a Master of Divinity degree at Mt. Angel Seminary in 1977, and completed requirements for an Education Teaching Certificate from Western Oregon University in 1981. Mr. Amsberry is a member of St. Francis Parish in Sherwood, where he serves as Pastoral Associate. His ministry training has included working in religious education, liturgical music ministry, youth ministry and supervising the parish staff. He is married with three children.

        Marco Tulio Espinoza was born in Honduras, where he attended elementary and secondary schools. He graduated from high school in 1979, and then attended college in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. He received an Associate of Arts degree from Portland Community College in 1993. He completed the Hispanic Ministry Formation Certificate program of the Archdiocese of Portland as part of his diaconal ministry training. A member of St. Pius X parish, Mr. Espinoza’s ministry experiences have included religious education, Campo Azul, marriage preparation, the Christian Family Movement, Charismatic prayer group and serving as the coordinator for the Hispanic Disciples in Mission process in his parish.

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