Deacon Jose Fritz Molina

Like some other men discerning a vocation to the diaconate, Jose Fritz Molina saw becoming a deacon as “something unattainable,” adding he “did not feel worthy to be consecrated as such.”
 

He admits, however, that throughout the years, God manifested himself to him when as a layman he helped others with a lot of love. Serving others, he said, is what inspired him to become a deacon as it led him to feel that “God had called me to serve him in a deeper way.”
 

One of the places Deacon Molina has served the Church is at his parish, Most Holy Name of Jesus, Perth Amboy, as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion. He is also active in Charismatic Renewal and Group of Couples of Christ, You, and I.

He also enjoys participating in other parish groups, when asked to help by his pastor, Father Ronald Machado.
 

When Deacon Molina told his family that he wanted to become a deacon, they were very supportive of him, especially his wife of 36 years, Molina, which he described as “fundamental.”
 

“She motivated me to apply for the diaconate program,” he said.
 

He noted that his family and children not only gave him the support he needed but also expressed happiness with his decision to become a deacon.
 

Born and raised in San Miguel, El Salvador, Deacon Molina attended the Basic School of the National Institute “Isidro Menendez” and the “Colegio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesus.” He attended Secondary School at the “Marista” Catholic College and earned a degree at the National University of El Salvador.

When he was studying for the diaconate at Seton Hall University, South Orange, Deacon Molina said that in the beginning it was very challenging to return to study at the university level after many years away from the school environment.
 

“However,” he noted, “my family provided a tremendous amount of encouragement by extending their support and helping me with the assignments.”
 

He was excited when, after all the hard work, he was finally able to see the results. On May 14, Bishop James F. Checchio ordained Molina to the diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Deacon Molina is part of the diocese’s first class of deacons, all of whom speak Spanish.
 

Prior to pursuing the diaconate, Deacon Molina worked as a foreman at Moldieco Plastic Products, Fords; and as a Process Technician at Viant.
 

In his spare time, he enjoys reading and spending time with his family. He and his wife have a son, Fritz Rene, and a daughter, Michelle. Fritz and his wife, Jessica, have a daughter, Lidia, the deacon’s first granddaughter. Michelle and her husband, Oscar, recently welcomed their son, Valentino, the deacon’s first grandson.
 

Deacon Molina said what he was looking forward to most in his ministry is serving the community “with all my heart and put into practice all the knowledge I learned during my study [at Seton Hall].”
 

As for what advice he would give someone who is considering a vocation to the diaconate, he said, “If they feel a calling to consecrate their services to God and their community, all they must do is surrender and God will take care of the rest.”