The Diocese of Allentown April 25 officially ordained 47 Lehigh Valley men to serve as deacons.

Bishop John Barres of St. Thomas More Church, Allentown, ordained the men during an official ceremony.

According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University, this is probably the largest group of permanent deacons ordained in any diocese in the country this year.

The following men in Whitehall and Northampton were ordained permanent deacons:

Ricardo Ceballos, 53, of Whitehall, is a member of Sacred Heart Parish, Allentown. Married and the father of two, Ceballos is a computer technician.

John C. O'Connell, 64, of Whitehall, is a member of St. John Fisher Parish, North Catasauqua. Married and the father of two, O'Connell is a retired electronics technician.

Thomas J. Ely, 67, of Northampton, is a member of Holy Family Parish, Nazareth. Married and the father of five and grandfather of 11, Ely is a manager with a high-tech manufacturer.

Richard T. Sewald, 61, of Northampton, is a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Parish. Married and the father of four and grandfather of seven, Sewald is a retired security officer. His late father was also a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Allentown.

A deacon witnesses the servanthood of Christ. He is called to promote charity and to proclaim and live the Word of God.

As a sacramental minister, the deacon is an ordinary minister of the Eucharist. He may baptize, witness marriages, conduct funeral services and preside at prayer services and devotions. He may also preach at Mass, give instructions to people wishing to become Catholic, be involved in religious education and conduct marriage and family enrichment programs. Deacons also serve in special ministries, such as soup kitchens, nursing homes and prisons.

Preparation for reception of the order of deacon involves a period of six years. The first year is primarily one of discernment and spiritual development.

The remaining five years of candidacy are dedicated to human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral preparation. There is education in church doctrine, liturgy, history and law.

Their formation addresses spirituality and pastoral life through special conferences and retreats. Four summer internships address various concerns, such as the integration of marriage and the diaconate, pastoral skills, projects and planning.

Even though a deacon receives a sacred order, he does not necessarily function in the diaconate as a full-time occupation. A deacon who is not retired is still responsible for himself and his family through a secular occupation. At minimum, a deacon devotes 10 to 12 hours a week to his work in the church.

The men ordained include two men whose late fathers were permanent deacons in the diocese and one man whose son is a priest of the diocese. Their secular occupations include a hotelier, two chefs, pharmacist, chiropractor transportation executive and an elementary school principal. They range in age from 49 to 68. Combined they have 127 children and 117 grandchildren and great- grandchildren

In a letter to the people of the diocese, Bishop Barres wrote, "God has exceedingly blessed us in the gift these men are making of themselves to the life of our Church."