Archdiocesan deacons
25th Ordination
Deacon Donald C. Denham
Birthplace: St. Louis
Age: 75
Education: Scruggs School, Cleveland High School, Forest Park Community College, Missouri S&T
Ordination: May 30, 1998, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali
Family: Wife, Janice; two children
Service in the archdiocese: St. Gerard Majella Parish in Kirkwood, 1998-present
Secular career: Retired electrical engineer
About Deacon Denham: He was involved in deacon formation and served as coordinator of the spring diaconate retreat for 15 years, receiving the St. Stephen Award from the archdiocese in 2016. He served in prison ministry through the Criminal Justice Ministry for 22 years, doing one-on-one counseling at City Workhouse on North Hall Street before its closure. In 2009, he received the Pellegrino Award from CJM. He has also volunteered in the pastoral services department at Mercy Hospital throughout his diaconate, and he regularly presides at Benediction at the Carmelite Monastery on Clayton Road.
Deacon Charles R. Gildehaus
Birthplace: Washington
Age: 81
Education: DeVry Technical School in Chicago, Illinois
Ordination: May 30, 1998, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali
Family: Wife, Geraldine; four children
Service in the archdiocese: St. Gertrude Parish in Krakow, 1998 until retirement in 2020
Secular career: Retired from Franklin County Concrete Company
About Deacon Gildehaus: He has led prayer groups and served as a spiritual director, and he is a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea.
Deacon James M. Griffard
Birthplace: St. Louis
Age: 71
Education: Our Lady of the Presentation School, Ritenour High School, master’s in counseling from Saint Louis University, master’s in pastoral ministry from Kenrick Seminary
Ordination: May 30, 1998, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali
Family: Wife, Susan; three children
Secular career: Retired school counselor
Service in the archdiocese: St. Ferdinand in Florissant, 1998-2000
Sacred Heart in Florissant, 2000-10
St. Dominic Savio in Affton, 2014-15
St. Francis Xavier “College” Church, 2015 until retirement in 2022
About Deacon Griffard: Deacon Griffard was devoted to the education and formation of young people in his ministry and his career as a school counselor, ending as the director of pastoral care at Loyola Academy of St. Louis. He also led retreats for middle- and high-schoolers, was involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and especially enjoyed preparing families for baptism.
Deacon James P. Martin
Birthplace: St. Louis
Age: 78
Education: St. Margaret of Scotland School, St. Louis Prep Seminary, St. Mary’s High School, Saint Louis University
Ordination: May 30, 1998, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali
Family: Wife, Clare; four children
Secular career: Certified public accountant
Service in the archdiocese: St. Monica Parish in Creve Coeur, 1998 until retirement in 2020
Ministry at St. Louis Lambert International Airport
About Deacon Martin: He has served as an airport chaplain for 15 years. He also regularly helps with Benediction at the Carmelite Monastery on Clayton Road and is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Deacon Eugene Naumann
Birthplace: St. Louis
Age: 83
Education: Holy Ghost School, McBride High School
Ordination: May 30, 1998, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali
Family: Wife, Jane; two children
Secular career: Retired from printing industry
Service in the archdiocese: St. Blaise in Maryland Heights, 1998-2004
Holy Spirit in Maryland Heights, 2004 until retirement in 2016
About Deacon Naumann: He served as a hospital chaplain, with Stephen Ministries and was active in the Knights of Columbus.
Deacon Fred Volansky
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Hazelwood West High School, Ranken Technical College
Age: 65
Ordination: May 30, 1998, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali
Family: Wife, Deborah; two children
Secular career: Retired from Ferguson-Florissant School District
Service in the archdiocese: Immaculate Conception in Dardenne Prairie, 1998-99
Assumption Parish in O’Fallon, 1999-present
40th ordination
Deacon Peter E. Gounis
Birthplace: San Diego, California
Age: 79
Education: St. Paul the Apostle and Sacred Heart schools, McBride High School, University of Missouri-St. Louis, courses at Kenrick Seminary and Saint Louis University
Ordination: Feb. 5, 1983, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop John L. May
Family: Wife, Kathleen; two children
Secular career: Retired parish pastoral associate and hospice chaplain
Service in the archdiocese: Sacred Heart in Florissant, 1983-92
North American Martyrs in Florissant, 1992-2005
St. Ferdinand in Florissant, 2005 until retirement in 2012
About Deacon Gounis: He participated in the initial organization of the Deacon Council and served on several archdiocesan councils, as well as a committee member for the Archdiocesan Synod 10. He was also a chaplain for the Garden of Innocents ministry and a tribunal advocate.
Deacon John H. Weatherholt
Birthplace: Glennonville, Missouri
Age: 82
Education: High School in Poplar Bluff, Barber College
Ordination: Feb. 5, 1983, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop John L. May
Family: Wife, Donna (deceased); three children
Secular career: Retired office administrator
Service in the archdiocese: St. Paul in Fenton, 1983 until retirement in 2017
About Deacon Weatherholt: He served as director of religious education at St. Paul School for more than 20 years. He was also a tribunal advocate and chaplain for the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society conference. He served in the U.S. Navy.