Deacon Fernando Barrueta

Age: 70   Born: May 30, 1940 in Havana, Cuba

Family: He and his late wife, Raquel, were married for 43 years and have three daughters, Libertad, Ana and Rachel, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Education: Graduate of Inter-American Aviation School as an air conditioning mechanic. Studied at preparatory school in Havana, Cuba.

Work Experience: Retired in 2006 after 40 years working for Sears Roebuck and Co. in warehouse management starting in Miami, Fla., and continuing in Georgia.

Hobbies and Interests: Fishing, listening to classical music.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Pre-baptism classes, training of altar servers.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Prison ministry

Additional Languages: Spanish

Parish Assignment: St. Pius X, Conyers

Favorite Quote: “Speak softly and carry a big stick” (Theodore Roosevelt).

Most Admired Person: Abraham Lincoln

Age: 56   Born: Sept. 24, 1954 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Family: He and his wife, Margaret Ann, have been married for 31 years and have four children, David, Brian and Dana Bohn, Danielle Wright, and four grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor of science in pulp and paper science, College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, N.Y.

Work Experience: Career in research, development and technical sales with companies that produce paper or equipment and processes to the pulp and paper industry. Currently area vice president for North America for the fiber-making segment of Metso Paper & Fiber Technology, where he has been employed for 18 years.

Hobbies and Interests: Golf, gardening, chasing grandkids.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Liturgy committee, lay ministry coordination, altar server training, sacristan training, St. Vincent de Paul Society, case sponsor, Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Support of Catholic teaching ministries

Parish Assignment: Catholic Church of St. Monica, Duluth

Favorite Quote: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Most Admired Person: St. Padre Pio

Age: 61   Born: July 29, 1949 in Jackson, Miss.

Family: He and his wife, Rhonda, have been married for 38 years and have two children, Michael and Kathryn, and two grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor of arts in business administration from Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss., and master’s in business administration, marketing and finance, from Emory University, Atlanta.

Work Experience: Vice president of sales focusing on mid-range commercial insurance sector for R.D. Wood Insurance & Associates, Inc., Atlanta. Previously a general contractor and a 20-year IBM employee in software and hardware marketing program management.

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, golf, football at historically black colleges and universities, scuba diving.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Parish pastoral council, liturgy, stewardship, Legion of Mary, baptism support, Knights of Columbus, St. Martin de Porres Society and Office for Black Catholic Ministry.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Marriage preparation, Awakening Faith, Catholics Come Home Georgia and Envision.

Parish Assignment:  St. Philip Benizi Church, Jonesboro

Favorite Quote: “God does not have a clock, so keep praying for his grace.”

Most Admired Person:  “My grandfather, the son of slaves, who graduated from college at 19 (top of his class), built his own business, educated six children and became my surrogate father after I lost my dad at 19. Awarded the Silver Beaver from the Boy Scouts of America, he served as a solid example of a positive male role model for my brothers and me. He properly guided us into manhood and moved on to Christ at 97.”

Age: 50   Born: Jan. 10, 1961 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Family: He and his wife, Adrienne, have been married for 23 years and have four children, sons, Joseph, who is deceased, and Nick, 15, and daughters, Sara, 20, and Julia, 17.

Education: Bachelor of science in nautical science from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y.; U.S. Coast Guard unlimited third mate’s license; licensed commercial insurance broker for property, casualty, life and health insurance, series 6, 63, variable products; chartered property casualty underwriter; associate in risk management.

Work Experience: U.S. Navy commander with four years on active duty, 24 years in the Navy Reserves; commercial insurance broker for 25 years, currently senior property broker at American E&S Insurance Brokers, Atlanta.

Hobbies and Interests: Weightlifting, running, football, hockey, reading, movies.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Sacristan, lector, coordinator of extraordinary ministers of holy Communion to homebound or those in nursing homes, liturgy committee, Stephen minister, Knights of Columbus, respect life ministry.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Adult faith formation, catechetical teaching, Eucharistic adoration.

Additional Languages: Italian

Parish Assignment:  St. Brendan the Navigator Church, Cumming

Favorite Quote: “To love another person is to see the face of God” (“Les Miserables”).

Most Admired Person: Father Charles McCoy, U.S. Navy chaplain

Age: 61   Born: May 10, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Family: He and his wife, Deborah, a registered nurse at Emory University Hospital, have been married for 36 years and have five daughters, Kate, Maggie, Bridgette, Kimberley and Morgan, and two granddaughters. Deborah Kaszycki also attended the five years of diaconate formation classes.

Education: Bachelor of arts in journalism with a major in public relations, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh.

Work Experience: International sales, logistics and marketing in food industry for past 40 years. Currently president and majority partner of Searail Poultry Exports, Lilburn.

Hobbies and Interests: Marine aquarist. Maintains extensive collection of Poland’s postage stamps.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Tribunal case sponsor, catechist for Christian initiation of adults, teen Confirmation preparation, marriage preparation FOCCUS instrument, altar server coordinator, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector, Knights of Columbus.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Respect life, pro-life ministries, PATH (Post-Abortion Treatment and Healing).

Parish Assignment: St. Stephen the Martyr Church, Lilburn

Favorite Quote: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Most Admired Persons: Blessed John Paul II and spiritual director Father Joseph Mendes, MSFS.

Age: 64    Born: Jan. 17, 1947 in Elizabeth, N.J.

Family: He and his wife, Barbara, have been married for 42 years and have three children, Karelyn, Gregory and Heidi, and seven grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from New York Institute of Technology.

Work Experience: Retired senior project engineer at Cytec Industries, Bartow, Fla., Andersonville, Ga., and New Orleans. Retired maintenance supervisor at St. George Village, Roswell.

Hobbies and Interests: Model railroading and reading.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Prison ministry, marriage preparation and Marriage Encounter, altar server training, Lectio Divina and contemplative prayer.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Stephen Ministry

Parish Assignment: St. Joseph Church, Marietta

Favorite Quote: “Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday” (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen).

Most Admired Person: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Age: 56   Born: July 11, 1954 in Ft. Myers, Fla.

Family: He and his wife, Cathy, have been married for 33 years and have one son, Matthew, 26.

Education: Bachelor of science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La.

Work Experience: National account executive for CORT Furniture, a Berkshire Hathaway Co.

Hobbies and Interests: Reading and running.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In:  Director of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Catholics Come Home Georgia coordinator, serving jointly in hospitality ministry with his wife, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, prison ministry at the Hall County Prison, Life Teen core member, parish finance committee, men’s weekly Bible study, north Hall weekly rosary family group, Cursillo, founder of The Catholic Hour radio program.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Prison ministry, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Christian initiation of adults.

Parish Assignment: St. Michael Church, Gainesville

Favorite Quote: “I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone” (attributed to St. Francis of Assisi).

Most Admired Person: St. Francis of Assisi

Age: 54   Born: March 15, 1956 in Centerville, Iowa

Family: He and his wife, Paula, have been married for 28 years and have three children, Brett, 30, Beth, 26, and Dale, 24, and one grandchild.

Education: Central Gwinnett High School, Lawrenceville.

Work Experience: Commercial printer for 30 years, the last 11 at The Gainesville Times.

Hobbies and Interests: Stained glass

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Usher, lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, sacristan, preparing older children for the sacraments as a team with his wife.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Looks forward to being a volunteer hospital chaplain.

Parish Assignment: St. Catherine Labouré Church, Jefferson.

Favorite Quote: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

Most Admired Person: Pope John Paul II

Age: 48   Born: Nov. 14, 1962 in Baton Rouge, La.

Family: He and his wife, Carolyn Marie, have been married for 13 years.

Education: Bachelor of arts in history from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.

Work Experience: Former U.S. Army Ranger. Currently working as full-time magician/mentalist.

Hobbies and Interests: Magic, rosary making, gardening, woodworking and writing.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: In charge of parish extraordinary ministers of holy Communion to the sick and homebound, working in Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Spiritual direction

Parish Assignment: St. Joseph Church, Athens

Favorite Quotes: “I will leave no man behind” (U.S. Army Ranger Handbook); “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13) ; “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:11).

Most Admired Person: St. Teresa of Avila

Age: 42   Born: June 9, 1968 in Monterrey, Mexico

Family: He and his wife, Blanca Lilia Uso de Merlo, have been married for 16 years.

Education: Francisco Gonzalez Bocanegra High School in San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico.

Work Experience: Laser machine operator for Kirk & Rudy, Inc., design engineers and manufacturers of paper handling equipment, Woodstock.

Hobbies and Interests: Playing guitar, reading, listening to music.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Evangelization, baptismal preparation, Bible study groups.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Life Teen

Additional Languages Spoken: Spanish

Parish Assignment: St. Joseph Church, Marietta

Favorite Quote: “Let Jesus dwell in your heart.”

Most Admired Person: Blessed Father Miguel Pro, SJ

Age: 52   Born: Jan. 8, 1959 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Family: He and his wife, Amy, have been married for 22 years and have four children, daughters, Kelly, 20, Angela, 18, and Mary Kate, 14, and son, Bill, 16.

Education: Bachelor of science in computer science from St. John’s University, Queens, N.Y., and master’s in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Work Experience: Pilot of C-130 in the U.S. Air Force from 1982-89. Captain at Delta Airlines from 1989 to the present.

Hobbies and Interests: Working on cars, maintenance.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Baptism preparation, marriage preparation, pastoral council, Christ Renews His Parish, education commission, Lenten fish fries.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Catholics Come Home

Parish Assignment: Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta

Favorite Quote: “Faith is caught, not taught.”

Most Admired Person: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Age: 53   Born: Dec. 26, 1957 in Queens, N.Y.

Family: He and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for 31 years and have two daughters, Katie and Sarah, and one son, Matthew.

Education: Bachelor of science in finance/economics from Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y. He previously studied at Salesian Junior Seminary in Goshen, N.Y., and St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, N.Y.

Work Experience: President and chief executive officer of Legacy Wealth Management Group, Inc., Roswell; captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Hobbies and Interests: Family, reading, music, exercise, the beach.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Eucharistic adoration, acolyte/reader, pastoral care of the sick, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Missionaries of the Poor, Legion of Mary, Life Teen International, Knights of Columbus, men’s fellowship, Christ Renews His Parish, sacristans, finance council, parish council.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Eucharistic adoration, pastoral care of the sick and dying, homeless and the poor, pro-life, Life Teen International, Exalt (XLT) praise and worship for high school students.

Parish Assignment: St. Andrew Church, Roswell

Favorite Quote: “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now” (Blessed Teresa of Calcutta).

Most Admired Persons: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II

Age: 61   Born: Aug. 19, 1949 in Elizabeth, N.J.

Family: He and his wife, Carol, have been married for 34 years and have nine children: three sons, Matthew, Patrick and Daniel, and six daughters, Molly, Anne, Kateri, Rita, Aileen and Margaret, and six grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in pure and applied mathematics at Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, N.J.

Work Experience: Actuarial student at New York Life Insurance Company, New York, N.Y. Past director of Risk Management and Underwriting Services for Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut, now Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

Hobbies and Interests: Number theory

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Guardian of the Eucharist, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Ministry to the homeless

Parish Assignment: St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Alpharetta

Favorite Quote: “The good you do today, people will often forget. Do good anyway.”

Most Admired Person: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Age: 58   Born: June 8, 1952 in Los Angeles

Family: He and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 37 years and have two children and one grandchild.

Education: Studied automotive technology at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif.

Work Experience: Senior instructor in Delta Airlines’ training department at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Hobbies and Interests: Kayaking, reading, baseball.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Parish school of religion, Christ Renews His Parish, altar server training and liturgy committee.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Hospital and airport chaplaincy.

Parish Assignment: Holy Trinity Church, Peachtree City

Favorite Quote: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried” (G.K. Chesterton).

Most Admired Person: Abraham Lincoln

Age: 55   Born: July 25, 1955 in Chester, Pa.

Family: He and his wife, Rosemary, have been married for 31 years and have two children, a son, Peter, and a daughter, Kristen.

Education: Graduate of West Orange High School, West Orange, N.J. Currently attending Kaplan University.

Work Experience: Music teacher at Queen of Angels School, Roswell, since 2004. Previously worked as customer service manager for Chyron/Probel, Atlanta; as project manager for Panasonic Broadcast and Television Systems Co.; as an electronic technician.

Hobbies and Interests: Avid baseball fan, loves music and theater.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Assists in Christian Initiation of Adults, lector, extraordinary minister of holy Communion, missions ministry.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Missions ministry and music ministry.

Parish Assignment: St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell

Favorite Quote: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard  … is what makes it great” (“A League of Their Own”).

Most Admired Person: Pope John Paul II

Age: 52    Born: June 22, 1958 in Darlington, Pa.

Family: He and his wife, Shawn, have been married for 31 years and have two children, Marisa, 27, and Michael, 25.

Education: Blackhawk High School, Beaver Falls, Pa.

Work Experience: Tower crane operator, working for 26 years in the Atlanta area for various construction companies.

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, deep-sea fishing, camping, coaching youth wrestling, cooking.

Parish Ministries Already Experienced In: Teaching infant baptism class, lector, acolyte, extraordinary minister of holy Communion and extraordinary minister to the sick, liturgical committee, altar server trainer, hands-on charity to the homeless in Athens; past member of the parish council, past sacramental preparation teacher for first Communion and Confirmation.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Marriage preparation, Catholics Come Home.

Parish Assignment:  St. Matthew Church, Winder

Favorite Quote: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Most Admired Person: Jesus Christ