Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Two deacons from Orlando, Noel Oteyza and Edgar Jecino, have expressed their gratitude to their wives, Karyl and Lynette, for significantly contributing to their spiritual growth. Both men acknowledge that the steadfast faith of their spouses played a crucial role in deepening their own religious convictions.

The sisters, who were raised in a devout Catholic family in the Philippines, maintained their commitment to the Church after moving to the United States. Deacon Oteyza recalls joining Karyl at Eucharistic Adoration during their courtship, which helped him develop a stronger relationship with Christ.

“I wasn’t as strong in my faith until I met Karyl,” Deacon Oteyza said. “Through Karyl and the Sacrament of Marriage, my faith grew more into discerning the diaconate.”

Initially feeling unqualified for his calling, Deacon Oteyza eventually embraced it through surrendering to God's will. “You always have doubts, but then when you’re called; you humbly ask the Lord to help you through formation and to help change you. It’s surrender. It’s not what I want. It’s what the Lord wants,” he shared.

Karyl also found the call unexpected and challenging. When she asked her sister Lynette for prayers regarding her husband's calling, Lynette responded humorously but supportively: “Sure. I’m glad it’s you and not us.” However, Lynette later faced a similar situation when her husband Edgar was also called to serve as a deacon.

Lynette initially doubted they were suited for such a demanding role due to their busy lives raising three children. “I know it takes a lot of work. It takes a transformation of your life. I just didn’t think it was for us,” she said.

Deacon Jecino echoed these sentiments but recognized signs from God throughout his life that led him towards this path. He reflected on his upbringing in the Philippines and his move to the U.S., acknowledging how these experiences shaped him despite initial struggles with language and faith practice.

“It was life-changing,” he recalled about moving to America at age 11 without speaking English. His sister Violet's frequent prayers planted seeds of faith within him over time.

Meeting Lynette further influenced his spiritual journey as she had considered becoming a nun before deciding otherwise. “God said, you’re going to America to lead a soul to Jesus," Deacon Jecino noted about her impact on his life.

Both deacons now serve together at Holy Family Parish's monthly Filipino Mass in Orlando while ministering within their extended families and community.

“(Being deacons) adds the ability to help our relatives grow in the faith,” said Deacon Oteyza. Reflecting on recent family losses, he emphasized their efforts in supporting both their family members' and Filipino community's spiritual growth wherever they are led by God.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff