Diocese of Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert will ordain three men transitional deacons in ceremonies at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena in Allentown on Saturday, May 19 at 10:30 AM. A transitional deacon is one step from becoming a priest.
The men to be ordained transitional deacons, all of whom are preparing for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary near Philadelphia, are: Giuseppe C. Esposito, 36, of Allentown, John C. Maria, 50, of Sinking Spring and Zachary R. Wehr, 27, of Whitehall.
Esposito is the son of Joseph and Debra Esposito. He is a graduate of Marian Catholic High School, Lehigh Carbon Community College and DeSales University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from St. Charles Seminary and is a member of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown
Maria is the son of Theresa Maria of Pittston and the late Cataldo Maria. He is a graduate of Pittston Area Senior High School and Penn State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He has an adult son James J. Maria. Maria was the co-owner of a small IT business in Allentown before entering the seminary. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Augustine Institute in Greenwood Village, Colorado and is a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Sinking Spring.
Wehr is the son of Dennis and Kathleen Wehr of Whitehall. He graduated from Whitehall High School and attended East Stroudsburg University before entering the seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Wehr is a member of Holy Trinity Church in Whitehall.
All three men will spend the next year promoting charity, proclaiming the Gospel and administering the Sacrament of Baptism before being ordained a priest next spring.
