Meet the Class of 2025 deacon candidates
Deacon candidates pray during Mass on Oct. 25, 2024 at St. Patrick Cathedral. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Seven permanent deacons will be ordained for the Diocese of Fort Worth on Friday, August 8, at 5 p.m. at St. Mark Parish in Argyle.
Please join us in prayer for these men, who have undergone five years of discernment and formation as they prepare to serve Christ's Church more deeply.
In advance of the Mass of Diaconate Ordination, we introduce the deacon candidates.
Alan Franklin, St. Stephen, Weatherford
Alan Franklin has been married to his wife, Sarah Franklin, for more than 30 years. They have three children and four grandchildren.
He currently works as an IT security manager in a remote position.
The prayers of his wife, a cradle Catholic, were a catalyst to his spiritual journey. Earlier in the marriage, he was a non-practicing Baptist more focused on his professional responsibilities as a chief technology officer than his relationship with God. During a retreat, his wife consulted with a priest regarding her concerns about their marriage, as she desired for them to lead a life of faith together. However, he was reluctant to attend church. The priest advised that separation was not aligned with God's plan; rather, he recommended she pray and offer the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for his conversion, suggesting it would impact him significantly.
He enrolled in the RCIA program in 2011 and entered into full communion with the Catholic Church on April 7, 2012, at St. Stephen Parish in Weatherford. The call to the permanent diaconate followed immediately. He said, “From the moment of my reception into the Church, I recognized God's call to the diaconate; however, I initially avoided this vocation due to feelings of inadequacy regarding preaching to a congregation. During a homily on vocations at St. Stephen, I perceived God communicating to me through the priest's message. Subsequently, I submitted my application for admission into diaconal formation.”
His greatest challenge as he discerned the call to the diaconate was apprehension regarding the homiletics coursework. He explained, “As formation progressed, I came to understand that while I may never be fully worthy of this calling, God was asking for my surrender to allow Him to work through me. During my initial homiletics class, it became evident to me that all things are possible when you surrender to God’s will for your life.”
Following ordination, Franklin’s aspiration is to guide others toward this complete trust and surrender to God's plan for their lives, leading them into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. “The experience has been both profound and extraordinary,” he stated.
Wilfried Lampka, Holy Family, Fort Worth
Wilfried Lampka has been married to his wife, Catherine Lampka, for 25 years and they have two children. Their daughter Emma is 22 years old, and their son Ethan is 17 years old.
He graduated from Midwestern State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received an MBA from Texas Christian University. Currently, he is a vice president at JP Morgan Chase in Plano.
Looking back, Lampka said the call to be a deacon took many years to come to fruition. He explained, “I have been blessed to serve the Church in many different capacities, all of which I feel was God cultivating my mind and spirit to serve His Church in a way I never thought I could.”
A timely invitation played a role in entering diaconate formation. Lampka recalled, “One day, Deacon Mike Mocek, whom I had known for years, approached me and asked if I had ever considered becoming a deacon. Coincidentally just a few days earlier there had been an article in the North Texas Catholic about the vocation to be a deacon. After reading that article I thought, ‘Is this what God has been preparing me for all these years?’ When I was also asked by Dcn. Mike about it, the message at that point was clear, and I realized that the Holy Spirit was at work. It was time for me to say ‘yes’ and pursue this very blessed and special vocation.”
The service component to diaconate formation has been a powerful experience for Lampka. He said, “Formation has given me countless opportunities to serve God’s Church and His people. Anytime I am able to serve His people when they are most vulnerable and in need of care and compassion, I am reminded of Matthew 25:40 which says, ‘What you do to the least of these you do to me.’ That is an enormously powerful image for me and really draws me closer to God.”
After his Aug. 8 ordination to the diaconate, he looks forward to working with the poor, the homeless, and the imprisoned.
Thang Nguyen, Vietnamese Martyrs, Arlington
Thang Nguyen, a member of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Arlington, has been married to his wife, Theresa, for 32 years. They are blessed with four children whom they have raised in the Catholic faith, teaching the importance of prayer, Mass, confession, and service.
Nguyen was born in Vietnam and came to the U.S. with his family after the Fall of Saigon in 1975.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in systems engineering from SMU. He has worked in software engineering for 40 years and currently works at Lockheed Martin.
He said his vocation to the diaconate grew through years of formation — first at a Catholic boarding school in Vietnam, then through his family’s prayer life and involvement in parish ministries. Inspired by his priestly uncle and missionary brother, he has served in many parish roles including catechist, lector, and choir member.
Nguyen explained, “In 2017, I felt called to discern the diaconate, but believed I was past the age limit. When the age was later raised to 57 — the exact age I had turned — I recognized God’s invitation and answered.”
A powerful moment during diaconate formation was serving in hospital ministry. He recalled, “I accompanied a grieving mother after the death of her child, an experience that reminded me of my own family’s loss. In that quiet moment, I learned that ministry is often about presence and compassion more than words.”
After ordination, Nguyen hopes to serve in sacramental and pastoral ministries — especially visiting the sick, comforting the grieving, and helping others return to the Church.
He said, “I look forward to bringing Christ to people and people to Christ, in service to God and His Church.”
Ken Coffey, Good Shepherd, Colleyville
Born on a naval base in Puerto Rico in 1971, Ken Coffey was raised Catholic, served as an altar boy, and spent a lot of time at the church at whatever base or location they lived. It instilled a desire to serve his church, his community, and his country that is still active today.
He met his wife, Connie, when they were both juniors at Trinity High School and parishioners at St. Michael Church in Bedford. They both attended TCU and married in 1994.
After earning an MBA from the University of California at Berkely in 1997, Coffey worked in Dallas as an investment banker for 15+ years until changing careers to become a counselor and family therapist.
He gives glory and thanks to God for 14 years of continuous sobriety.
Their older son, Colin, 24, lives at home as he works toward independent living. He participates in social skills groups in Southlake and Hurst, competes in Special Olympics, and works part-time at a hospital in Bedford as a custodian. Their younger son, 21, is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M and a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Fighting Texas Aggie Band.
Coffey considers his call to the diaconate both a gradual unfolding and a sudden awakening. It began as a whisper — a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit, urging him to consider how he could better serve his family and his community and live his faith more authentically. During moments of prayer and reflection, he felt a deep desire to be of service to God and His people.
During formation, Coffey said, “One of the most significant insights I gained was the interconnectedness of faith and reason. Theologians like Augustine and Aquinas emphasize that faith and intellect are not adversaries but partners in the quest for truth. This realization has transformed how I approach my daily life and responsibilities. In my profession as a therapist, I often encounter challenging situations and ethical dilemmas. I now draw on theological principles to guide my decision-making. Understanding the moral teachings of the Church has provided a framework for navigating complex issues, allowing me to approach conflicts with a sense of clarity and purpose.”
He continued, “As I reflect on my call to be a deacon, I am continually aware that this vocation is not just about my own spiritual journey; it is about building up the Body of Christ. Becoming a deacon through formation is a call to foster community, to build relationships grounded in love and faith, and to be a conduit of God’s grace in the world. Formation has challenged me to live out my faith authentically, to be a servant leader, and to inspire others to respond to their own callings. I am grateful for this call to formation, and eager to fulfill my role as a deacon, trusting in God’s grace to guide me on this sacred journey.”
José Mateo, St. Michael, Bedford
José Mateo’s story is one of love, faith, and perseverance. Born in the Dominican Republic in 1963, he left his homeland in 1992, chasing new opportunities and a better life. But no matter where life took him, one thing remained constant: his devotion to his family and his faith.
He has built a life alongside his wife, Bárbara, whom he married in 1989. Together they have raised three incredible children, Johanna, Jannell, and Joel, each following their own paths. Now, as a grandfather to Sophia and Selena, he feels his family’s love expanding in ways he never imagined.
Though trained in agricultural engineering, his career took him into the heart of hospitality, where he learned the power of service — both to customers and to the community. His leadership roles at Marriott International, Wyndham Anatole, HEB/Central Market, and El Río Grande Latin Market have given him a deep understanding of what it means to care for others.
His faith journey, however, has been the most transformative. After many years of dedicated service at St. Michael Church, Mateo found himself being called toward the diaconate by those who saw something in him: his kindness, his humility, his willingness to serve. Father Carmelo Mele, Father John Swistovich, Father Balaji Boyalla, SAC, and many others in his community encouraged his call to the diaconate.
At first, he struggled with doubts of having the time for it and the demands of balancing his responsibilities, but with discernment, he realized that God’s timing was always perfect.
Saying “yes” to the call was not easy, but it was right. His path through formation has been one of challenge, growth, and deepening love for Christ, the Church, and its people. Through his formation, he has learned to surrender to the Holy Spirit, to the altar, to the needs of others. Now, more than ever, he acknowledges that living out this calling is not easy by human strength alone, but by God's grace, he seeks to dedicate his life entirely to His Kingdom and His people, serving those most in need, lost, hurting, or searching for the truth.
Mateo’s mission is not about recognition or status; it is about being an instrument of Christ’s love, shining His light into the lives of those who need hope the most. His heart is open, his hands are ready, and his journey as a bridge to Christ has just begun.
Hoang Trinh, Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church
Hoang Trinh has been married to his wife, Ngoc Trinh, for 36 years, and they have three children: daughter Thao Trinh (35), married to Vu Dang; son Joseph Trinh (32); and daughter Elizabeth Trinh (29), married to Terrence Park.
He has made a career at Lockheed Martin Aerospace after earning a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at University of Oklahoma and master’s degrees in electrical engineering and telecommunication at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Trinh entered diaconate formation to “follow the call to the diaconate to cultivate a life of holiness; to be like Christ — who came to serve and not to be served. I want to dedicate my life to serve the Lord and His people.”
In the five years of diaconate formation, Trinh has learned to have a life of prayer to cultivate a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
Although Trinh completed many years of higher education, including two master’s degrees, diaconate formation began with some difficulties. He explained, “At first, reading and writing are challenging to me since I’ve been out of school for many years, however, with prayer I have overcome that challenge.”
Overall, formation has been positive, especially “bonding with my classmates. We love and pray for each other.” Other rewarding experiences include “visiting patients at MCA Hospital and the inmates in prison. I believe my presence brings peace and comfort to them.”
After the diaconate ordination on August 8, Trinh is “looking forward to serve with full capacity to all people. My spiritual director recommended that I learn to become a spiritual director. I love to help people to strengthen their faith, hope, and love — to live a good life now and in the Kingdom of God later.”
Michael Waldon, St. Catherine of Siena, Carrollton
Formed by Catholic education, Waldon grew up in Slidell, Louis. He entered seminary for the Archdiocese of New Orleans at St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington. After completing his philosophy studies, he spent an additional year and a half at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans before discerning out.
From there, he served the Church, primarily as a youth and music minister, starting at St. Peter Church in Greenville, NC, and then back to Louisiana, teaching at his alma mater, Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell.
Although his wife is a Texan, they met in Louisiana and married 18 years ago. They moved to Texas in 2010, where they raised their three children and joined the faith community at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Carrollton.
He and his wife talked about a possible diaconate call with a very close priest friend many years before he fully responded to the call. He always felt something calling him into that specific service to the Church.
“Then one day I opened the doors (literally) for a ‘Come and See’ meeting for the permanent diaconate and now find myself months away from ordination. God has a sense of humor,” he said.
Since entering the diaconate program, he has worked at St. Patrick Cathedral and now St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Roanoke.
In his preparation for the diaconate, he has learned: “While this is a call from the Lord, and even as we strive to do our part to do things right by Him, we allow God to be God even in that — depending and trusting in such a way beyond what I could have imagined before — that He will be and is the one to do it. So in other words, don’t stress so much! It’s Christ working in and through me. In the words of St. Pio, ‘Pray, hope, don’t worry.’”
“I’m looking forward to serving however, wherever, and into whatever it is the Lord is bringing me,” Waldon stated. However, “I can sense the challenge, and ask myself, ‘Are you sure you want to say that, because you know, God will take you up on that offer.’”
He continued, “Looking back through the journey thus far, even through the challenges and struggles, His joy overshadows and permeates them all, and I have no reason to doubt that God will keep doing that. I simply hope and pray to keep allowing Him to be my continued source and strength through life and through my call as husband, father, and now, soon, as a deacon.”