The Holy Apostles Institute of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma held the first residency of its restructured Deacon Training Program at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Mission in Cary, North Carolina, July 28-31.

During the residency aspirant/candidates spent time in classes on the Creed, Canon Law, the Papacy in Church History, Homiletics, Byzantine Theology of Sacramental Mysteries, and Vibrant Parish. They also participated in Liturgical and Liturgical Music practicums; prayed Matins, little hours, and Vespers; and participated in the parish Divine Liturgies held on Saturday and Sunday.

Designed to give married diaconate aspirant/candidates a seminary experience over the course of a weekend, the residency is one of four that the deacon aspirant/candidates must attend as part of the four-year distance-learning program. In addition, aspirant/candidates complete sixteen courses in theology and philosophy, along with additional work.

Very Reverend Mark Shuey, pastor of St. Nicholas and dean of the Mid-Atlantic Deanery, worked with Deacon Kevin Bezner, Ph.D, a former college and university professor, to restructure the eparchy’s previous program and develop the new distance learning program. They began working on the program in 2013, completed it in 2014, and accepted the first aspirant/candidates in 2015.

Nine men of the eparchy currently are studying for the diaconate in the program: Christopher Bellock of Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, Revloc, Pa.; Anthony Dragani, Ph.D, Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, Revloc, Pa.; Subdeacon Paul Galadza of  Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, Miami, Fla.; Michael Guerrucci of Mother of God parish, Conyers, Ga.; Andriy Harmatiy of St. Andrew parish in Parma, Ohio; Justin Oelgoetz of St. Nicholas mission in Nashville, Tenn.; Biaggio Oriti of St. Andrew parish, Parma, Ohio; George Petryk of Mother of God parish, Conyers, Ga.; and Basilius Wibowo

of St. Nicholas parish, Raleigh, N.C.

In addition, three men of the Chicago Eparchy and one from a Ruthenian church in Las Vegas, Nevada, also are studying in the program.

The program’s next residency will be held July 27-30, 2017, at the Gilmary Catholic Retreat Center in Coraopolis, Pa.

Men of at least 25 years of age if single and 35 years of age if married can learn more about the program by contacting Deacon Kevin Bezner at [email protected].