Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz will ordain 15 men to the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Louisville on Aug. 25 during an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. Fifth St.
Following is biographical information about the men who have been assigned to parishes in the archdiocese.
Derrick A. Barnes and Mistianna Holcomb Barnes have been married for 17 years. They have one daughter, Kailee, 14, who is a sophomore at Eastern High School.
Barnes has worked for C.H. Robinson Company for the past 18 years where he is a transportation broker. He is a native of Louisville and graduated from Pleasure Ridge Park High School in 1989.
He and his wife, college sweethearts, graduated from Western Kentucky University. Barnes also earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University.
The couple are active in parish life at St. Margaret Mary Church, serving in a variety of ministries, including as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, in marriage preparation and in women’s ministry. Barnes is assigned to St. Margaret Mary Church.
Ralph E. Bartley and his wife Jane have been married 42 years and have four children and five grandchildren.
Bartley, a native of Henderson, Ky., is director of research at the American Printing House for the Blind. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University; a masters in education from Northern Illinois University with a specialty in the education of the blind; and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
He and his wife — who also holds masters degrees in education and rehabilitation of the blind — have earned certificates in pastoral ministry from Spalding University.
The couple have been parishioners at St. Leonard and St. Frances of Rome churches since moving to Louisville in 1995 where they have served in RCIA and Why Catholic? programs. They also take the Eucharist to the homebound.
Bartley is assigned to St. Frances of Rome and St. Leonard churches.
Stephen W. Beckham and Patricia Beckham just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary and have four children.
The couple met while serving in the Army. They currently own a small business in Muldraugh, Ky., serving soldiers by providing retirement gifts, awards and embroidered items.
They also serve as first responders and firefighters with the Meade County Volunteer Fire Department.
Beckham has earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University and is assigned to St. Martin of Tours Church in Flaherty, Ky., and at St. John the Apostle Church in Brandenburg, Ky.
Joseph E. Bland and his wife of 42 years, Virginia, grew up in Marion County, Ky. They now live on a 160-acre farm in eastern Shelby County. The couple have four children and 10 grandchildren (two are deceased).
Bland retired from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Wild Turkey Federation. He’s now a taxidermist and representative of Proximo Travel (a Catholic tour company). He has also earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University.
He and his wife teach confirmation classes, are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and lectors. He has also served as pastoral care coordinator since 2008.
He is assigned to Annunciation Church in Shelbyville, Ky., and St. John Chrysostom Church in Eminence, Ky.
Jerome L. (Jerry) Buehner and his wife, Constance (Connie), are members of St. Bernadette Church and are natives of Louisville. The couple have been married for four years. They have five adult children between them, a grandson and two nieces who they say are like granddaughters to them.
Buehner is a structural designer of engineered wood products at K-I Lumber & Building Materials, where he has worked for 19 years. He retired in 2008 from the Kentucky Air National Guard after 22 years of service. He volunteered for service projects, including the “Bosnia Food Drop” and “Provide Hope.” He was the last remaining veteran of the historic Pueblo Crisis to retire. He has earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University.
Mrs. Buehner is an attorney advisor for the Social Security Administration.
Both have been active in various parish ministries. He served as leader of RCIA, taught religious education and was a member of the parish council. Both have participated as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lectors. He is assigned to St. Bernadette Church.
Robert R. Caruso and his wife, Kimberly, have been married for 34 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Caruso is semi-retired and works part-time for Harbor House of Louisville, where he helps with development programs that aid adults with mental and physical disabilities. He also volunteers with the prison ministry team of Immaculate Conception Church in LaGrange, Ky., conducting weekly bible studies at Roederer Correctional Center.
Caruso studied social psychology in children and adults at Livingston College (Rutgers University). He also earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University.
His wife teaches English and is department chair at Sacred Heart Academy. Both have been in service to the church for many years, serving as acolytes, lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. He is assigned to Immaculate Conception Church.
Carl A. Fahringer of Spencer County is pastoral assistant at All Saints Church in Taylorsville, Ky. He is in charge of adult faith formation, and is involved with ministry to the sick and the RCIA team. For several years, he has provided Communion services at All Saints and been involved with interfaith services at Signature Healthcare of Taylorsville. In addition, he is an auditor for the Metropolitan Tribunal.
He has earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University and the following certifications from the archdiocese: master catechist, discipleship and leader of prayer.
He is a member of Our Lady’s Rosary Makers, the Knights of St. John and the Knights of Columbus.
He is assigned to All Saints Church and to St. Francis Xavier Church, Mt. Washington, Ky.
Gary W. Fowler and his wife Kathy have been married for 38 years. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
Fowler retired in 2008 after 37 years working for Alcan Aluminum (Anaconda). He earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University. His wife retired from Jefferson County Public Schools in 2008 but continues to work there part-time.
The couple have been active in their parish, serving as RCIA team leaders and in various other ministries. He is assigned to St. Paul Church.
Timothy D. Golden and his wife Joanne have been married for 31 years and have two children.
Golden is a lifelong member of Our Lady Lourdes Church and is currently employed there in maintenance. He is also a retired licensed practical nurse and a former member of the St. Matthews Volunteer Fire Dept. He earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University.
His wife is a speech therapist at Churchill Park School, where she recently completed 34 years working with special needs children.
The couple have been active in parish ministry, including as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Golden formerly served on the parish council and has been a lector for more than 20 years.
He is assigned to Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Elizabeth and St. Therese churches.
J. Andy Heinsohn and his wife Joan have been married for 28 years and have two children.
Heinsohn has owned and operated a dental laboratory for 27 years.
The couple have been members of Holy Trinity Church for 26 years. They have been actively involved in various ministries including teaching the faith for 25 years to fifth- and seventh-graders.
They are both working on earning master catechist certification. They are also working in the archdiocese’s new young adult retreat program Teens and 20s Encounter Christ. They also have earned certificates in pastoral ministry from Spalding University. He is assigned to Holy Trinity Church.
R. David Hotz and Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Hotz have been married for 16 years. Together they have five children, 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.
After a tour in the United States Air Force, Hotz worked in the major appliance repair industry for 38 years and is now retired from General Electric after 32 years. Mrs. Hotz has been a legal assistant for 30 years.
Hotz has earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University and the couple are certified by FOCCUS to administer an inventory program for marriage preparation.
They are members of Immaculate Conception Church in LaGrange, Ky., and have been active with a variety of ministries since arriving there in 2001. Hotz helped to establish a Knights of Columbus Council in 2003 and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly in 2007 at Immaculate Conception.
He is assigned to Immaculate Conception Church.
W. Timothy Johnson and his wife Tracy Lynn have been married for 19 years and have three children.
Johnson was born in Detroit to Baptist parents from Eastern Kentucky and converted to Catholicism at the Easter Vigil in 2002 at St. Paul Church.
The couple are active in their parish and have served as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, in RCIA, adult formation, the parish council and in bingo.
Johnson works as a computer professional and has earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University. He plans to pursue a masters degree in theology. His wife is a 20-year veteran of UPS and is pursuing a degree in learning and development at the University of Louisville.
He is assigned to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Thomas More churches.
Dr. John C. E. (Jack) Koenig Jr., and his wife Donna have been married for 43 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Koenig practiced pediatric critical care in California and retired from medicine after establishing and directing a pediatric intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, Ind.
He attended Bellarmine College and the University of Louisville. Since retirement, the couple have become farmers in Shelby County. They are active in various ministries at Annunciation Church in Shelbyville, Ky., and at St. Vincent DePaul’s addiction recovery center and Open Hand Kitchen.
Koenig earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Spalding University and he and his wife are certified pre-marriage FOCCUS facilitators.
He is assigned to St. Margaret Mary Church.
Christopher F. McDonell and his wife Melani have been married for 23 years and have a son.
McDonell, a native of Minnesota, teaches second grade at Mill Creek Leadership Academy, a Jefferson County Public Schools magnet school.
He and his wife have earned certificates in pastoral ministry from Spalding University. The couple also graduated from the University of Minnesota. He earned an MBA from Bellarmine University.
They have both served as lay ecclesial ministers since high school. As adults, they have been active in parish life at the Church of the Epiphany, including in child and adolescent formation, community care, sacramental preparation and the parish council. McDonell also serves as chaplain to his son’s Boy Scout troop.
He is assigned to the Cathedral of the Assumption.
Dennis M. Nash and his wife Teresa have been married for 35 years and have two children.
Nash earned a degree in business administration and a certificate in pastoral ministry at Spalding University. He has worked in the construction equipment rental industry for 35 years, including as a district manager for United Rentals North America for the last 14 years. His wife recently retired after 35 years as a Catholic school teacher.
He has been active in music ministry at St. Lawrence and Mary Queen of Peace churches and served for 20 years as music director at his parish, Good Shepherd Church, until he retired in 2010. Most recently the couple have served the sick and homebound.
He is assigned to Good Shepherd Church.
