Our Deacons

Class of 2005

Deacon Burton Ainsworth

Deacon Burton Ainsworth was ordained in the Diocose of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to the Holy Family Community at Barksdale Air Force Base. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus (Monsignor Chenevert Assembly 4th Degree). He also is involved in serving the homebound. Burton is retired from the United States Air Force. He also is retired from Willis-Knighton Health System and CBB Water System. He is a licensed nursing home administrator. He and his wife, Marjorie, have three daughters, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Deacon John Basco

Deacon John Basco has been married for over 40 years to Donna Digby Basco. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005, Deacon John has been assigned to the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans since his ordination. He is retired from the Caddo Parish Clerk of Clerk’s office after 34 years of public service. Deacon John fulfills many roles at the Cathedral, such as baptism and marriage preparation, visiting the ill, coordinating the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, funeral services and administering the sacraments proper to his ordination.

Deacon Jeff Chapman

Deacon Jeff Chapman was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to St. Pius X Catholic Church. He is involved in RCIA, visitation of the sick, prison ministry, and baptismal and marriage preparation, as well as serving as a Tribunal advocate. He also is a member of the Children of Light Prayer Group and supports the Magnificat Newella Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Deacon Jeff works with North Caddo Magnet High School and North Caddo Middle School and is involved with the Vivian Community Club. For more than 40 years, he has worked in construction and manufacturing. He and his wife, Sandy, have one child and two grandchildren.

Deacon Timothy Cotita

Tim Cotita was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Monroe. He is involved in assisting with annulment cases, marriage and confirmation preparation. Deacon Tim also is involved in educating the community about end-of-life issues and is available to speak to church groups regarding these issues and the connection to Catholic moral teaching. For more than 30 years, Tim has worked as a registered nurse. Currently, he is serving as the manager of an outpatient diabetes and nutrition education center for a local medical center. Deacon Tim also works as a bioethics consultant for the medical center with specialized certification in end-of-life issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in health care ethics. He and his wife, Missy, have six children and 15 grandchildren.

Deacon Oscar Hannibal

Deacon Oscar Hannibal was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston. He served as the assistant director of the most recent diaconate formation, as well as assisting with annulments and baptismal preparation in his own parish. Deacon Oscar retired after serving 25 years in the United States Air Force. He is self-employed. Oscar holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University. He and his wife, Mary, have four children.

Deacon Freeman Ligon

Deacon Freeman Ligon was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is currently assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church. He is the Outreach Ministries Coordinator and is involved with the altar servers training and scouting with Troop 2 (Cathedral of St. John Berchmans) as scoutmaster. He is the contact person for Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Shreveport. Deacon Freeman is involved with ACTS and Just Faith Ministries. He holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry with emphasis on Deaf Ministry from St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Fla., and a bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Deacon Freeman is employed by Purtle & Assocates as a MEP Drafter. He and his wife, Debora, have two children.

Deacon Jorge Martinez

Deacon Jorge Martinez was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Shreveport.

Deacon Larry Mills

Deacon Larry Mills was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in November 2006 and is assigned to St. Jude Catholic Church in Bossier City. He has assisted or directed Pre-Cana, retreat programs, adult education, RCIA, liturgical minister training, and currently coordinates parish life ministries focusing on married couples enrichment. In 2002, Deacon Mills entered diaconal formation in the Austin Diocese in conjunction with St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston. His profession brought him back to Shreveport in 2005 where he was ordained. Deacon Mills attended Louisiana Tech and LSU. In Baton Rouge he worked as a radio broadcaster and helped create the Louisiana State News Radio Network where he worked as chief announcer and chief correspondent at the state capital. He was born in Houston, and his family subsequently moved to Shreveport. He and his wife, Lynn, have two children.

Deacon Clary Nash

Deacon Clary Nash was ordained in the Diocese of Alexandria in May 1985 and has been assigned to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church since 2006. For more than a decade, he served as director of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Shreveport. For more than 25 years, he has been involved in community outreach. Deacon Clary is retired from General Motors, and has served as a hospital chaplain and church community coordinator. He holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from the Loyola University in New Orleans. He and his wife, Mary, have two children and four grandchildren.

Deacon Bruce Pistorius

Deacon Bruce Pistorius was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church. He is a member of the People of Praise Christian Community, serves in ministry of the sick, and is involved in a variety of community projects. For more than 30 years, Bruce has worked as a private practice pediatrician, first at Highland Clinic, and presently as Portico Pediatrics (Willis-Knighton Pierremont). He is a graduate of Rice University and attended medical school at LSU Health Shreveport. Bruce has two children and five grandchildren.

Deacon Bill Roche

Deacon William “Bill” Roche, who was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005, is assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church. He and his wife, Isabel, have been married for 44 years. They have three children and four grandchildren. Deacon Bill is a part-time employee of St. Joseph as Director of Faith Formation and part-time employee of the Diocese of Shreveport as Director of the Permanent Diaconate. He is a native of Trenton, N.J., and has been a resident of Shreveport since 1984. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, Pa. Deacon Bill was ordained in May 2005.

Deacon John Serio

Deacon John Serio was ordained in the Diocese of Little Rock in April 1993 and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston. He and his wife, Donna, have been married for more than 40 years. They have six children and 10 grandchildren. He is involved in the RCIA process for the parish and visiting homebound and nursing home residents. He and his wife cook/serve several Dollar Lunches during the year for Louisiana Tech students. He is retired from a claims adjusting position after 35 years of service. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

Deacon Michael Straub

Deacon Michael Straub was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to Mary Queen of Peace Church in Bossier City. He is involved in RCIA, Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Financial Council, public school religion classes, and Vacation Bible School. He also serves on the Parkway High School band boosters board. Deacon Michael is the human resource director for the Diocese of Shreveport. For six years, he worked at Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company as the human resource director. He holds a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from LSU Shreveport and is Professional Human Resources Certified. He and his wife, Pam, have two children.

Deacon Terry Walswoth

Deacon Terry Walsworth was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is the administrator/campus minister at St. Benedict in Grambling.

Deacon Verdine Williams

Deacon Verdine Williams was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in May 2005 and is assigned to Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church in Monroe. He is involved in Christ the King Campus Ministry. Deacon Verdine also serves with the Little Flower Academy, Interfaith Coalition and Knights of St. Peter Claver. He served in the the United States Air Force for four years and Army National Guard and Army Reserve, for 21 years before retiring. He also retired after 35 years as a Communications Electronic Technician. He attended Northeast State University and is a graduate of the Office’s Candidate School Academy. Verdine and his wife, Emma, have four children.

Deacon Class of 2015

Deacon Scott Brandle

Ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in 2014, Deacon Scott Brandle serves at St. Matthew Catholic Church in downtown Monroe and as the Chaplin at St. Frederick High School. Scott is active in prison ministry in Northeast Louisiana and leads several scripture study groups each week. He is also a board member for the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy. Deacon Scott and his wife, Theresa, are retired from the sign industry and are very involved in serving the community, especially the elderly. They have five wonderful grandchildren in Texas that they love visiting.

Deacon Tom Deal

Deacon Tom Deal is assigned to Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Monroe. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. His ministries include Independent Bible Study/Men’s Group leader, ACTS, and Teams of Our Lady ( TOOL) Group. Deacon Tom has served as a board member of the Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, Louisiana Purchase Council of Boy Scouts of America, and Monroe Chamber of Commerce. For more than 30 years, Deacon Tom has worked in broadcasting sales and management, as well as radio and television, in north Louisiana. Currently, he is an insurance agent with New York Life in Monroe. Deacon Tom is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University (University of Louisiana in Monroe). He and his wife, Jo Ann, have two children and three grandchildren.

Deacon Chris Domingue

Deacon Chris Domingue is assigned to Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Monroe. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Chris is involved in ACTS, Teen ACTS, serves as leader of Small Faith Sharing Group (Bible Study), Parish Council, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Knight), and Teams of Our Lady (TOOL). As a physician, Deacon Chris is an employed physician in the West Carroll Health Systems in Oak Grove, La. He has been a medical doctor since 1991 and a family practice physician since 1995. Deacon Chris served in the Navy from 1991 to 1995. Chris is a graduate of the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, and the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport. He and his wife, Szu-Wei, have two children.

Deacon William Earl (Bill) Goss II

Deacon William Earl (Bill) Goss II is assigned to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and is currently assigned to St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monroe. Deacon Bill was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Since his ordination, he has worked at various ministries of Our Lady of Fatima, including Catholic Campus Ministry and Northeast Louisiana War Veteran’s Home. He is involved in the RCIA process, lay minister training, altar server training, and marriage prep. Deacon Bill is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe. He and his wife, Janet, have two daughters, and three grandchildren. Deacon Bill is a Risk Engineer for CNA Insurance Companies.

Deacon Bill Kleinpeter

Deacon Bill Kleinpeter is assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mansfield. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. He is involved in RCIA, and teaches scripture study. Deacon Bill also has served as a board member of the United Way, and has worked with the Boy Scouts of America, as well as serving as fire chief for the Volunteer Fire Department, and an arborist for high school students. He served for eight years in the United States Marine Corp. and is retired from International Paper after 30 years. Deacon Bill holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He and his wife, Angel, have three children and seven grandchildren.

Deacon Steve Lehr

Deacon Steve Lehr is assigned to St. Jude Catholic Church in Bossier City. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Steve is a Pre-Cana marriage mentor, a member of the RCIA team, and is involved with ACTS. He is involved with the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. For more than 25 years, Steve has been with Willis-Knighton Health System as a Radiological Cardiovascular Technologist and Heart Institute WK-Bossier coordinator. He is a graduate of Northeast University, LSU Health Shreveport Radiology, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Angela, have eight children.

Deacon Danny LeMoine

Deacon Danny LeMoine is assigned to Christ the King Catholic Church in Bossier City. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Danny is a member of the Parish Council. He has worked as a member of the Bossier City Police Department, the Bossier Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department. Deacon Danny holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree from LSU Shreveport. He has his wife, Linda, have seven children and 15 grandchildren.

Deacon John (Jack) Lynch

Deacon Jack Lynch is assigned to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Originally from North Dakota, he moved to Shreveport in 2003. Deacon Jack leads Bible study classes, preparing couples for marriage, visiting hospital patients, and bringing communion to residents in nursing homes. Deacon Jack has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Minot State University and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. He taught in Catholic schools in North Dakota and Minnesota for several years. Deacon Jack has been a member of People of Praise Christian Community for more than 40 years. He and his wife Teresa have three children and three grandchildren. Deacon Jack is an avid reader, and he and his wife love hiking in our national parks.

Deacon David Nagem

Deacon David Nagem is assigned to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oak Grove, La, where he has been a member for 53 years. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon David is involved in outreach ministry and serves on the Parish Council. He is a member of the Oak Grove Chamber of Commerce, Oak Grove Downtown Development, and serves on the advisory board of the W.C. Council on Aging. For more than 30 years, David worked as a pharmacist. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe. He is married to his wife, Barbara.

Deacon Robert Ransom

Deacon Robert Ransom is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Robert is a member of the RCIA team, Children’s Liturgy, and is a catechist for fifth graders and the Confirmation class. He has worked extensively with the Boy Scouts of America, the Sertoma Club, as well as volunteering as a T-ball Coach. For more than 20 years, Deacon Robert has worked for Gardner Denver, Inc. as a design engineer, manufacturing engineer and facility manager. He attended Louisiana Tech University. Robert and his wife, Dawn, have two children. In his spare time, Robert enjoys tennis, softball, and fishing.

Deacon Ricardo Rivera

Deacon Ricardo Rivera is assigned to Christ the King Catholic Church in Bossier City. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Ricardo serves part-time in the rectory as a pastoral assistant. Some of the duties are RCIA, liturgist, helping English and Spanish PSR, Pre-Cana for the Latino community with his wife, Wanda. He also serves on the Pastoral Council and Finance Council. Deacon Ricardo, along with Wanda, helps couples through marriage prep.

Deacon Charles Thomas

Deacon Charles Thomas O.F.S. is assigned to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Charles is a Secular Franciscan and a member of Our Lady of Kibeho Secular Franciscan Fraternity and a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver. He is a recipient of the Diocesan Medal of Honor. Deacon Charles volunteers with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, coordinator of the lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, altar servers, and the leader of the “Be A Man Men’s Group” at Blessed Sacrament. Deacon Charles is retired from the United States Postal Service. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University. He and his wife, Nadalie, have two children.

Deacon Marc Vereen

Deacon Marc Vereen is assigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bastrop. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Marc is involved with ACTS, as well as being a past member and president of the Parish Council and a past member of the Finance Council. He serves as a board member of the Morehouse Council on Aging, and is a member and past president of the Bastrop Lions Club. Deacon Marc is a graduate of the University of Louisiana, Monroe. He is married to his wife, Kim.

Deacon Mike Whitehead

Deacon Mike Whitehead is assigned to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He was ordained in the Diocese of Shreveport in June 2014. Deacon Whitehead is the coordinator for the Christian Initiation ministry at St. Elizabeth. He has been in that position for more than a decade. For the past three years, Deacon Whitehead also serves as a minister at nursing homes and hospitals. He serves as chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, and also serves on the editorial board of the Catholic Connection, the monthly publication of the Diocese of Shreveport. Deacon Whitehead also is privileged to serve as president of the board for Catholic Charities of North Louisiana. He and his wife, Martha, have four children and seven grandchildren.