TOLEDO—The Diocese of Toledo welcomed its first new class of permanent deacons in three years Sept. 17, 2011, when Bishop Leonard P. Blair ordained nine men during a liturgy at Toledo Rosary Cathedral.

Those ordained include Deacon Robert Fedynich of Toledo Blessed Sacrament, Deacon Gerald Galernik of Rossford All Saints, Deacon Armando Gonzalez of Findlay St. Michael, Deacon Jon Gottron of Napoleon St. Augustine, Deacon Donald Inkrott of Glandorf St. John the Baptist, Deacon Edward Maher of Bowling Green St. Thomas More, Deacon John Reef of Mansfield St. Peter, Deacon Melvin Shell of Fremont St. Joseph and Deacon John Walter of Bascom SS. Patrick & Andrew.

Chronicle photos by Laurie Stevens Bertke