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With the ordination of Pedro B. Sanchez Duval to the diaconate for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Brunswick, known as a national Hispanic Parish, now has a deacon to whom parishioners can easily relate.
On May 14, Bishop James F. Checchio ordained Deacon Sanchez Duval and 14 other members of his class to the permanent diaconate for the diocese at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.
It was the diocese’s first class of deacons in which Spanish is their main language and 13 of whom emigrnated to the United States from Spanish-speaking nations.
Deacon Sanchez Duval was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where he attended Club Caamano Elementary School. After graduating from Liceo Buenos Aires High School, he earned a degree in marketing at the Dominican University O and M. In 2003, he came to the U.S. and settled in Middlesex County, where he became an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.
His ministry experience included baptismal preparation for parents and godparents, pre-cana preparation for engaged couples, and lector. He was also a leader of the parish’s Youth Group.
He believes the Lord inspired him to pursue a vocation to the diaconate. “I wanted to serve God in a more active way,” he said.
His wife, Siernia Garcia, noted, “When he told the family he wanted to become a deacon, we were very supportive of his decision.”
Reflecting on his journey to the diaconate, Deacon Sanchez Duval said, “Studying through the years of preparation and going on a weeklong retreat as a group all speaking Spanish as their main language was very helpful.”
Since being ordained, Deacon Sanchez Duval has proclaimed the Gospel at Mass. He is very happy with his new life with the Lord and will give 100 percent to him and the parish wherever needed.
“I am looking forward to serving my parish in the areas of matrimony and baptismal preparations,” he said.
He admitted that while preparing to become a deacon, dividing his time between studying and being available to his wife and children was a challenge.
Deacon Sanchez Duval and his wife are parents to Alexandra Sanchez Garcia, Mayra A. Sanchez Garcia, Pedro Sanchez Garcia and Isabell Sanchez Garcia.
Since coming to the U.S., Deacon Sanchez Duval has worked at Durham Woods Association, Edison, as a superintendent.
Father Ramón L. Nacarino, pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, vested Deacon Sanchez Duval at his ordination. The new deacon serves at his parish with Father Nacarino; Father José Lorente, parochial vicar, and Father Bonfilo Enriquez, parochial vicar.
With them, Deacon Sanchez Duval will be ministering at a parish that serves 3,000 families and has been described as an important cultural site to many Hispanics in New Brunswick for more than 40 years.
As for what advice he would give to a man considering a vocation to the diaconate, Deacon Sanchez Duval said, “First, pray to God to guide you.”
