ZELIENOPLE — It’s been a faith-filled journey for borough manager Don Pepe, who is just settling into his new role as deacon at the Catholic parishes of St. Gregory and St. Matthias in Evans City.

“It’s been a real pleasure so far. I’m thankful that the Diocese of Pittsburgh gave me an opportunity to be here,” said Pepe.

“The parishes have been so supportive to me, it’s been overwhelming. I didn’t expect that outpouring of support. In retrospect, I should have because of the good people here in the parishes,” he added.

Surrounded by friends and family members, 25 men, including Pepe, were ordained as deacons June 15 at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

“What brings us here this absolutely gorgeous day is our deep gratitude that God has called 25 men to be raised to the order of deacon — two as transitional deacons with a sincere hope that a year from now they will be ordained priests, and 23 others, who are being ordained as permanent deacons,” said Bishop David Zubik at the ordination Mass.

Pepe explained his calling to become a deacon began 6½ years ago when St. Gregory’s exiting pastor, the Rev. Robert Miller, told him the bishop was forming another class for deacons.

At first, Pepe said, he didn’t think much of it.

“At one point in high school, I thought about entering the priesthood,” explained Pepe. “For years I wanted to do something, but didn’t know what it was. Then, it clicked.”

Pepe, 61, is a native of Newark, N.J., where he was raised, and is currently a resident of Harmony. He and his wife, Nancy, have been married 39 years. They have a son, Jason, 37, and a daughter, Jaclyn, 30.

Through the formation experience, Pepe said he has come to understand that “the heart of a deacon is one of unlimited desire to serve at liturgy, to pray, to preach the Word of God, and to serve God’s people wherever and whenever called upon. It is important to be an example of Jesus’ presence on this earth.”

Pepe is one of 99 permanent deacons assigned throughout the diocese.

A permanent deacon can be married and have a family but cannot become a priest. Transitional deacons are seminary students who have chosen a path to priesthood.

“Deacon” comes from the Greek word diakonos, meaning “servant.” Deacons are called to serve the people of God in the ministries of liturgy, word and charity.

Deacons assist the priest at Mass, where they proclaim the Gospel, preach on occasion and serve as ordinary ministers of the Eucharist.

Deacons also may be called upon to celebrate baptism, witness marriages, preside at funerals and burial services, lead the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction and offer blessings in the name of the church.

Outside of church, deacons might be found providing pastoral care to people in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care institutions, jails and prisons, food pantries and soup kitchens.

They might be called upon to work with youths and young adults, those in special need or those on the fringes of society.

Pepe shares duties with the parish’s first permanent Deacon Dave Varner, who was assigned to the parish two years ago.

He spent the past five years in “discernment,” which he described as a time for candidates to learn whether they wanted to be a deacon for life. The candidates take tests, witness sacraments and other duties of a deacon.

In the past two months as Pepe has served at the Zelienople and Evans City churches, he’s already baptized three children and is scheduled to officiate his first wedding next year.

He had assisted with more than 30 baptisms in the past three years, but performing his first as a deacon was a significant event for him personally, he said.

St. Gregory/St. Matthias Pastor Lawrence Smith, who is new to the churches, having just completed his first year, said he’s welcomed the leadership skills Pepe brings from being the borough’s manager.

He also said Pepe is a very faith-filled person who was always there for the parish even before being ordained a permanent deacon. He has served on the pastoral council.

The two deacons will enable to parish to do some more things with its ministries than it was able to do in the past, said Smith. It will give him an opportunity to visit with parish families at their homes and talk with them.