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Two men ordained to priesthood at Fort Wayne Cathedral on October 31

Bishop John M. D’Arcy ordained Deacons Fernando Jimenez and Jacob Runyon to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, October 31, at 11:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne.

Both men studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and were ordained to the diaconate there — the final step toward becoming a priest — on April 27, 2008.

Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Deacon Jimenez is the oldest of five children of Fernando and Florinda Jimenez. He spent four years in seminary in Mexico before his family moved to Fort Wayne and joined St. Patrick Parish. Deacon Jimenez became an American citizen in 2008.

He studied for the priesthood for two years at St. John Seminary in Brighton, MA and two years at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in May 2005 and completed his studies at Josephinum this past May with a master’s degree in theology.

Deacon Jimenez has served in a number of parishes throughout the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend during summers, including Holy Family, South Bend; St. Michael, Plymouth; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Warsaw: and St. Joseph, St. Jude and the Cathedral, all in Fort Wayne.

Deacon Runyon is the oldest of 11 children of Mary and Terry Runyon, of New Haven. The family attends St. Louis Besancon Parish. Deacon Runyon graduated from Heritage High School, Monroeville, in 1996. Before he began his studies for the priesthood in 2001, he worked at Tippmann Industries and for Wendy’s Restaurant.

Deacon Runyon spent two years at St. John Seminary, Brighton, MA and graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona, MN in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He completed his studies at Josephinum this past May with a master’s degree in theology.

During the summer months Deacon Runyon served at the following parishes in the diocese: St. Vincent de Paul, Fort Wayne; St. Pius X, Granger; St. Patrick, Ligonier; and St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend. He also studied Spanish in Mexico.