Jeff Smith and Mark Danaho of Saint Pius X Parish in Flint are on their journeys toward the diaconate, an announcement in the parish's Aug. 16 bulletin reported.

Smith will receive candidacy on Saturday, August 22, which means he is a public person preparing for the Sacred Order of the Diaconate. He and his wife Carla are faithful members of the parish and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

Danaho will receive the Ministry of Acolyte on Tuesday, August 25. This is the last major step before ordination to the Sacred Diaconate. It will allow him to be set aside at the altar and assist the deacon and priest. Danaho will then have permission to purify the sacred vessels after they have been used at Mass and will become an ordinary minister of Holy Communion. He and his wife Lena are active in the parish.

Prayers are requested for each of these families as they prepare for these next important steps.