16 Gulf Pine Catholic • July 11, 2025 Meet the Diocese’s new Permanent Deacons Deacon Walter Ascencio, 43, is a dedicated husband to Rosmeri Cesibel García and a proud father of two. He works in drywall and painting and is an active parishioner at St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs. Deeply committed to his faith, Walter serves as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and is involved in the Housing Ministry. Walter first felt the call to the permanent diaconate when Father Sergio Balderas extended an invitation that reminded him of a promise he had made to God -- to serve wherever he was called. His wife, Rosmeri, offered unwavering support, promising to walk beside him on the journey. Walter describes the path to the diaconate as a beautiful and transformative experience. He emphasizes that it is a calling of service, and that Jesus offers strength in moments of challenge. What he cherishes most about his formation is the deepened knowledge of the Church and the sense of family that grew among fellow candidates, teachers, and mentors. He feels “loved” as he prepares to enter this new chapter of ministry. Friends and coworkers have responded with enthusiasm and admiration. For Walter, the greatest surprise has been the way his family has grown stronger through the process. Looking ahead, he is eager to serve those in need and help his community in any way he can. Serving others is not just a ministry for Walter—it’s also his passion. His life has been transformed by God’s love, and he now strives to share that love with everyone he meets. Deacon James “Jim” Balentine, 65, is a devoted husband to Tina Margaret Rodrigue Balentine and the proud father of five children (one now deceased), as well as grandfather to five. A dedicated parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Pass Christian, Jim serves his faith community in numerous ministries including Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Commentator, Pre-Confirmation CCD teacher, and as an assistant in baptismal training and ceremonies. He has also been invited to join the Parish Bereavement Committee following his ordination. Originally fromArkansas, Jim moved to the Gulf Coast in 1967. He grew up Baptist and recalls being told by his preacher at a young age that he was called to preach -- words that stayed with him and evolved into a Catholic vocation. After feeling a call to the permanent diaconate at three different times in his life -- 1991, around 2014–2015, and finally in 2022 -- Jim answered wholeheartedly, supported by his wife, who always believed in his calling. Professionally, Jim works as a Tier 1 Service Desk Agent for the Department of Homeland Security. His background is as diverse as it is hardworking, having juggled multiple jobs throughout his life to support his family. Jim describes his diaconate formation as both spiritually and educationally fulfilling, especially cherishing the camaraderie of his bilingual class, which he now considers family. The biggest surprise on his journey has been the affirmation and support he received from the Church and community -- many of whom felt he was always meant to be a deacon. Looking ahead, Deacon Jim is most excited to serve wherever he is needed, recalling the profound impact of ministering during the pandemic. In his free time, he enjoys cooking -- especially smoking meats -- and growing roses, hobbies he now has more time to enjoy. If he had to sum up his journey in one word: “Blessed.” Deacon Felix D. Diaz Cortes, 55, of Hattiesburg, is a devoted husband, father, and servant of the Church. Originally from Moca, Puerto Rico, Felix was deeply involved in Catholic youth activities and discerned a religious vocation as a youth before embracing family life. Married to Amelia for 30 years, they have two daughters, Leslie and Britney, and a grandson, Augustine. Felix served 21½ years in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman, drill sergeant, and paratrooper before retiring in 2016. He currently works as the staff training coordinator at theYouth ChallengeAcademy and mentors youth in the Civil Air Patrol. Amember of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Felix is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and serves on the Parish Council. Feeling a strong call to serve, he began formation for the Permanent Diaconate in 2021 and is part of the class of 2025. He treasures the brotherhood formed during this journey and finds great joy in growing closer to God through prayer and Scripture. Felix’s passion lies in serving others, living out his faith, and prioritizing family. He encourages those discerning the diaconate to seek God’s guidance through prayer and attentive listening. Deacon Dennis Eric Denmark, known to many as Eric, is a devoted husband, father, teacher, and coach who serves as head football coach and sports chaplain at Resurrection High School in Pascagoula. At 61, he brings the same passion and discipline from the football field to his spiritual calling. A parishioner at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Moss Point, Eric serves in both the prison and homebound ministries. His journey to the permanent diaconate began with conversations with Father Adam Urbaniak and Father Peter Varghese, but ultimately, he describes his call as something that simply “came to him.” When he shared his calling with his wife, Phyllis, her candid reply -- ”He called you, not me” -- marked the beginning of a deeply transformative journey for both of them. Over the years, her remarkable spiritual growth has been one of the most surprising and moving parts of his formation. Eric describes his current feeling as “humbled” and credits the diaconate formation with deepening his understanding of God’s love and blessing him with a new spiritual family. He encourages anyone considering the diaconate to “ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.” Known for his humility and strong work ethic, Eric has received overwhelming support from friends and colleagues. In his ministry, he looks forward most to serving his parish and pastor, Father David Milton. When not coaching or ministering, he enjoys mowing his lawn, raising chickens, and spending quality time with his grandson. A former football player at Ole Miss, he also holds the distinction of being the university’s first student coach for two years -- an early sign of his lifelong dedication to leadership and service. Deacon Edgar Flores, 49, serves at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Parish in Biloxi. A devoted husband to Lucy Flores and father of four, he works as a gardener by trade and ministers to his parish as a Lector, Eucharistic minister, and presenter for baptism preparation. Edgar’s call to the permanent diaconate came through prayer -- a quiet but firm invitation from God. When he shared this calling with his wife, Lucy, she responded with joyful affirmation, saying that God had heard her prayers. Now ordained, Edgar says he feels “very blessed.” Throughout his formation, Edgar deeply appreciated learning from dedicated instructors, experiencing a spirit of brotherhood, and witnessing God’s wisdom unfold in his life. One of the most surprising aspects of his journey was overcoming his fear of public speaking -- a transformation he attributes to God’s grace. Friends and coworkers have recognized the change in Edgar’s life, celebrating the way God has worked through him. In his diaconal ministry, he looks forward to serving the Church and his wider community -- especially the sick, the imprisoned, and those in need. To those discerning a vocation to the diaconate, Deacon Edgar offers heartfelt advice: “Seek the answer in prayer. God will speak to your heart and strengthen your decision.” Joyful and humorous by nature, Edgar loves cooking, spending time with loved ones, listening to others, and learning from them. Above all, he says, “I fell in love with the Lord” -- a love that now defines his life and ministry. Ascencio Balentine Cortes Denmark Flores
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