Bishop Walkowiak to ordain new deacon for the Diocese of Grand Rapids

WHO: Diocesan seminarian Nicholas Baker will be ordained to the Order of Deacons. Following ordination, he will continue his studies and is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in June 2024.

WHAT: Mass with the Rite of Ordination of a Deacon

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The public is invited to join the celebration in person or online via the diocesan website (grdiocese.org) or Facebook page (Diocese of Grand Rapids).

WHERE: Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 301 Sheldon Blvd., Grand Rapids, MI 49503

In addition, two men – Christopher Epplett and Jacob Zemaitis will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. at the cathedral.

Biographical Information:

Nicholas R. Baker, 26, is the son of Todd and Lisa Baker. He has two siblings: Kurtis and Morgan. Nick is a member of St. Sebastian Parish in Byron Center. Nick credits his parish pastor, Monsignor William Duncan, with fostering his vocation. Nick graduated from Byron Center High School and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 2020.

Nick will enter his final year of seminary at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, this fall, and is expected to receive his Master of Divinity in spring 2024. He completed his pastoral internship at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Belmont under the mentorship of Father Tony Pelak. 

The Diocese of Grand Rapids serves more than 175,114 Catholics, 80 parishes and 31 schools in an 11-county area of West Michigan. For additional information visit our website grdiocese.org. Connect with the diocese on Facebook (Diocese of Grand Rapids), Twitter (@GRDiocese) and Instagram (@GRDiocese).