Congratulations Deacon Miguel Carrion and Deacon Angelo Guevara on your ordination to the Permanent Diaconate!
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” -John 15:16
Meet Deacon Miguel Orlando Carrion and Deacon Angelo Albani Guevara Bermúdez, who were ordained, along with 16 other men, by Bishop John Noonan on Saturday, June 8th at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. May the Lord guide your vocation and your journey.
Click on the image to read the article from the Florida Catholic about the Diaconate Ordination and our new Deacons.
Celebrate our New Deacons First Masses at Most Precious Blood
Deacon Miguel Carrion and his wife Mayra have been married for 36 years. They have two children, a daughter Aryam Lebron, and a son Michael Carrion, married to Erik and Jennifer respectively. They are blessed with five grandchildren, Eriani, Erik Jr., Mateo, Adrian, and Ariel. Miguel was born in the Bronx, NY, and raised in Puerto Rico.
He served in the Army for 25 years and relocated with Mayra from Georgia to Orlando, FL in 2013, where they joined Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Aug 2013. He currently works for the Department of the Army as a Product Support Manager. Miguel is currently engaged in several parish ministries, as well as, part of the Catholic Services Prison Ministry at the Central Florida Reception Center.
Miguel was first approached for the possibility of his calling the Permanent Diaconate in 2005 by his military Pastor. Fr. Joe and late Deacon Johnny Díaz, while still serving in the Army. They saw something in his character and disposition to serve others that called their attention. He had to put the thought on pause due to his impending deployment to Iraq at the time.
After retirement from the Army, the thought was still very much alive in his heart and he decided to talk to Fr. David Scotchie, the Pastor at Most Precious Blood at the time. Fr. David asked Miguel to pray on it and to continue discerning what God is calling him to do. After a few years of prayers and continued discernment, he applied and was accepted. He entered the Permanent Diaconate program in 2018.
Miguel fully enjoyed the journey and challenges presented by a very demanding formation program as he moved along through the discernment process. His academia was offered through the University of Saint Leo where he earned the Master of Arts degree in Theology. Miguel was encouraged to learn and grow his Christian identity, and to a deeper study of Liturgy and of the Eucharist.
The most difficult part of the formation program for Miguel was the fact that he has a professional secular full-time job. Nevertheless, the program demanded that we complete a heavy academic workload, meaning extensive readings and assignments due on time every time. There was also plenty of work to be completed regarding preparation for the human dimension workshops every month. All this proved to be more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic when classes were given over Zoom as everyone was quarantined. Having said all of that, it was a very rewarding experience and one of unity and growth among us Cohort.
The program also prepared the men in areas such as marriage, sexuality, Christian, and human dimensions which helped not only him but also his beautiful wife Mayra who accompanied Miguel every step of the way in the formation program. “We truly love the formation process and how it has transformed us, not only in our love for the Lord, as individuals but as a married couple. We grew exponentially in spirituality and love for one another. We surely are going to leverage all that we have learned to better assist our Bishop, Priests, and parish community wherever the Lord entrusts us to minister in Diakonia.”
Miguel will serve as a deacon at All Souls Catholic Church, in Sanford.
Miguel will be serving and preaching his first Masses at 12 PM and 5:30 PM on Sunday, June 9th here at Most Precious Blood.
Deacon Angelo A. Guevara Bermúdez, hails from Cabimas, Zulia, Venezuela. Embarking on a journey that would shape his life’s trajectory, he relocated to Dayton, Ohio, in 1983 at the tender age of 16 right after High School. Originally to pursue a medical career, Angelo redirected his path to become a Systems Engineer shortly after he arrived in the USA. After graduating from Wright State University, he dedicated 15 years to Electronic Data Systems and the last 20 years to Lockheed Martin Corporation. He holds several Master’s degrees in the Engineering and Computer fields, an MBA, and two (2) PhDs in Theology.
In matrimony with Sorelena Malavé for 29 years, they have been blessed with three children: Angelo Armando, Isabella, and Bianca Daniella. The Guevara-Malavé family has actively participated in the life of Most Precious Blood (MPB) since 2005, weaving a rich tapestry of shared experiences within the community.
Angelo’s evolving spiritual journey, a recurring theme emerged—a calling to the permanent diaconate. This divine summons prompted him to trust and surrender to God. He remains focused on discernment and listening to the Lord’s will.
Angelo serves along with other MPB parishioners, at HOPE Helps, in Oviedo, aiming to prevent hunger and homelessness in Central Florida. HOPE empowers individuals and families for self-sufficiency through Housing, Outreach, Prevention, and Education. Angelo also visits Benton House Assisted Living for a Rosary and Communion Service. “My heart is enriched as I witness the transformative impact of these organizations in our community. Through visits and attentive listening, I deepen my understanding of being present for others“, Angelo explains.
As I reflect on the path towards becoming a permanent deacon, I am humbled by the profound sense of communal support that has underpinned this journey. This pursuit of diaconate formation has been not only an individual endeavor but a shared pilgrimage, enriched immeasurably by the steadfast dedication of our parish family at Most Precious Blood, diaconate formation team, priests, deacons, mentors, other diaconate candidates, and the unwavering support of my own cherished family.
Our rigorous theological education, spiritual direction, and hands-on ministry experiences have undoubtedly prepared me for service within our community. Yet, these preparations have been made possible through the tireless encouragement and prayers of our parishioners, each contributing a thread to the vibrant tapestry of our church community.
I am deeply grateful for the steadfast support of my wife, Sorelena, and our children, Angelo Armando, Isabella, and Bianca Daniella. Their unwavering love and involvement in church activities and heartfelt discussions about faith at home have been the cornerstone of the balance between the demands of diaconal formation and the responsibilities of family life.
Moreover, the connections forged with other deacon families and the broader church community have not only sustained me but have also enriched our family’s spiritual journey. Through shared experiences and mutual support, we have grown together in faith and fellowship, finding strength in our unity as members of the Body of Christ.
I am also indebted to the guidance and mentorship of our clergy members and formation instructors, whose wisdom and encouragement have been invaluable throughout this process. Their commitment to forming and nurturing future deacons has been a guiding light on this path of formation.
As we continue this collective journey towards diaconate ordination, let us hold fast to the spirit of unity and fellowship that has brought us thus far. In the words of Psalm 133, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” May this loving spirit of community guide us as we move forward in faith and service, ever mindful of the grace that flows from our shared journey.
Regarding the future, Angelo envisions active involvement in addressing the needs of the community, supporting his pastor, and collaborating with the bishop. He expresses a profound surrender to God’s will, demonstrating unwavering trust and reliance on divine guidance in every moment of his life.
Angelo will serve as a deacon at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Oviedo.
Angelo will be serving and preaching his first Masses at 8 AM and 10 AM on Sunday, June 9th here at Most Precious Blood.
What is the difference between a vocation and a job or career?
This is what Father Josh Swallows, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Orlando, Director of UCF Catholic Campus Ministry, and Pastor of Most Precious Blood in Oviedo, had to say about it:
We can gain immediate insight into this question by simply looking at the origins of the term “vocation”. Vocation comes from the Latin vocare, which is “to call”. It is a calling and therefore is born out of a relationship with God. Saint Pope John Paul II highlights this distinction in his work, On the Meaning of Vocation: “In the hidden recesses of the human heart, the grace of a vocation takes the form of a dialogue. It is a dialogue between Christ and an individual, in which a personal invitation is given. Christ calls the person by name and says: ‘Come, follow me.’ This call, this mysterious inner voice of Christ, is heard most clearly in silence and prayer. Its acceptance is an act of faith.”
A career or job may certainly be part of one’s vocation, but can only be authentically described this way if it has become part of surrendering one’s life to the Lord. In reading the writings from the saints, we see that vocation encompasses the whole answer to the question of why am I alive? That answer is found when we surrender in prayer as Christ taught us, saying to the Father, “Thy Will be done,” and mean it!
In short, a vocation is a mission from God. Each and every one of us has one, but we must be humble and listen in prayer. Another way of describing the difference between a vocation and a career is to say that a vocation is not simply chosen, (like we do with a career or job), but also something received. As we discern the Will of God for our lives, may we be truly open to God speaking a response to our heart.
Source- Diocese of Orlando May 26, 2022
Prayer for Vocations
Loving and Generous God,
it is You who call us by name
and ask us to follow You.
Help us to grow in the Love
and Service of our Church
as we experience it today.
Give us the energy and courage
of Your Spirit to shape its future
Grant us faith-filled leaders
who will embrace Christ’s Mission
of love and justice.
Bless Most Precious Blood Catholic Church
by raising up dedicated and generous leaders
from our families and friends
who will serve Your people as Sisters,
Priests, Brothers, Deacons and Lay Ministers.
Inspire us to know You better
and open our hearts
to hear Your call.
We ask this through our Lord.
Source- USCCB