On Saturday 18 July five men were ordained to the Permanent Diaconate at St Chad’s Cathedral.

Family, friends and fellow parishioners gathered to support Andrew Cheng, Martin Dolan, Michael Flower, Ben Hawley and David Kusi-Yeboah on this momentous occasion.

They were ordained by Archbishop Bernard Longley in front of a packed cathedral, and their wives and family members played a pivotal role when the men were vested.

Just before their Ordination each of the five shared a little of their very different journeys to the Permanent Diaconate.

Andrew Cheng is a retired solicitor and former legislative councillor from Hong Kong. Following his ordination, the 66-year-old will begin ministry at St Mary's Church, Harborne.

Married to Iris, for over 37 years, the couple have two adult daughters, Martha and Jackie.

“My journey to the permanent diaconate began through a profound experience of God's mercy in my marriage,” said Andrew.  “Although I was baptised as a student at a Salesian school in Hong Kong, I drifted away from my faith for many years while pursuing my career. A crisis in my marriage became a turning point, leading me back to the Church and a deeper relationship with Christ. Through prayer, spiritual direction, and involvement in marriage ministry, I experienced God's healing grace in my family life. 

“After moving to England in 2021, I continued my theological studies and discernment. I obtained a Research master’s degree in theology from Leuven and eventually recognised God's call to serve His people as a Permanent Deacon.”

In addition to serving at St Mary's, Andrew is hoping to support the growing Hong Kong Catholic community across the Archdiocese through Cantonese Masses, faith formation programmes and pastoral outreach. He also has training in hospital and prison ministry.

Martin Dolan recently retired from the printing industry. The 61-year-old is from the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rednal.

He has been married to Liz for 38 years, has three sons Mark, Luke, Jack, and is blessed with six grandchildren.

Martin revealed his vocation “was a slow, gentle call that began with a profound experience of love for Jesus while kneeling before the cross. This heartfelt moment was soon confirmed when my son and two priests independently asked if I had considered the diaconate. Although it was initially furthest from my thoughts, the call grew like the mustard seed of the Gospel. Ultimately, the desire to be a servant of the Lord captured both my heart and mind, guiding me gracefully to this path.”

As his new role is about to begin Martin shared: “I feel a profound and distinct call to serve those on the peripheries of society. My ministry has already begun to reflect this, as the Lord has led me into prison ministry to facilitate a prayer group, onto the city streets to bring food and comfort to the homeless, and into hospitals to assist with chaplaincy. In my new role, I look forward to bringing these encounters to the heart of the parish, and to bring these ministries to the altar of the Mass, in Christ’s presence will be a great blessing.”

Michael Flower is the director of a family business and worships at St Anne’s in Streetly. 

The 42-year-old is married to Sarah, who works at the parish school, and they have a son, James.

Michael first felt called to do more within the Church a decade ago…

“Ten years ago, I had my foot washed at Maundy Thursday Mass. I had an unsettling sense that I should be kneeling on the floor myself doing the foot washing! So I prayed about it and had a sense that I should volunteer more in the church. I became a school governor at the local parish school and really felt a sense of enjoyment in supporting the Catholic life of the school. 

“I kept putting off this nagging feeling, however, that I should be doing something more. Eventually my parish priest, a religious sister I know, and a deacon suggested that I consider the diaconate. Now I kneel on the floor during the foot washing and hold the basin and I feel a great sense of peace. It’s a ministry of service to the church and a wonderful extension of my vocation as a dad and husband.”

Michael is not sure what his new role will encompass but is ready to “be open to whatever the Lord sends my way. It is about being present when needed, encouraging people in their faith and helping people to discover and live out the joy and hope of the Gospel. I have volunteered in Catholic education for around a decade, so schools ministry is important and will be an important part of my ministry I’m sure.”

Ben Hawley belongs to the parishes of St Maria Goretti, Bentilee and St Gregory's, Longton, both in Stoke-on-Trent.

The 50-year-old is a bid estimator for a facilities management company and married to Annemarie. The couple are very blessed with seven children - Joshua, Benedict, Imogen, Alice, Felicity, Sebastian and Theo.

Ben reveals it has taken 12 years to get to this point “but all good things come to those who wait!”

“It is fair to say I haven't rushed into this beautiful ministry! I am in awe of what God is asking of me. Ordination is not the end of formation; indeed, it is just the beginning. And just to say, I would not be on this journey without the prayers of all who have supported me over the past 12 years, but especially not without the unwavering support of my wife Annemarie, who I thank from the bottom of my heart for allowing us to live out this vocation together.

“My ministry will be guided by the Holy Spirit in whichever way is most helpful for my parish priest, parishioners and family.”

David Boateng Kusi-Yeboah is a HR generalist practitioner (Life Coach) by profession.

The 58-year-old attends Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch. He has been married to Regina for over 26 years and together they have three children: Kuu, Kobby and Nana-Yaw.

David shares the call for him started around 40 years ago, but he wasn’t ready.

“I did a minor seminary in Ghana, I did a postulancy with the Jesuit in the Cote d’Ivoire for about eight months and left. Then when I later found myself in the UK, the hint started coming up. I’ve lived in quite a few places in the UK and the question “ ... have you considered becoming a permanent deacon?” resonated through every parish that I have associated with in England, with the very last one coming from my former parish priest, the late Fr Tony Rohan, who took it further by introducing me to the then Vocations Director, Fr Harry Curtis, and here we are now.

“In addition to serving on the altar and assisting my parish priest pastorally, I hope to be working closely with young people, both in the parish and outside of it. I also have a passion for prison ministry.”