NEW ULM — Six men will be ordained permanent deacons for the Diocese of New Ulm April 21.

“The Lord calls men from all walks of life,” said deacon Mark Kober, Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of New Ulm. He noted that among this year’s candidates are a farmer, a physical therapist and an electrician, with ages spanning from 36 to 60.

The six men will be ordained by Bishop John M. LeVoir at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye.

This will be the second group of men to be ordained as permanent deacons for the Diocese of New Ulm. The first group of twelve was ordained in 2012.

The permanent deacon is an ordained minister of the Church. He is neither a layman nor a priest. He is a cleric ordained for service in communion with the bishop and his body of priests. He works collaboratively with the bishop, priests and existing staff members of a parish or institution. Deacons may be either single or married. A married deacon remains a husband and father; these responsibilities do not change because of ordination.

Deacon candidates and their wives are: Bruce and Juanita Bot, members of the Church of St. Edward in Minneota; Travis and Jessica Welsh, members of the Church of St. Eloi in Ghent; Kenneth (Ken) and Janice Noyes, members of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Marshall; Anthony (Tony) and Mary Grack, members of the Church of St. Peter in St. Peter; Ryan and Erica Pope, members of the Church of St. Catherine in Redwood Falls; and Barry and Karen Reindl, members of the Church of St. Raphael in Springfield.

The Permanent Diaconate Program has been in existence in the Diocese of New Ulm since 2007. The formation process of a permanent deacon consists of a one-year aspirancy program and four years of academic formation.