About Us

Deacon Ray Gallego started writing Gospel reflections some months ago. He felt that with the COVID lockdown that the Word of God needed to get out to the people. So he started with daily reflections. He amassed quite a following of these reflections, which he sent like clockwork early every weekday morning.

In time, though, he took a new role that made it harder for him to do these reflections everyday. He asked some of his fellow permanent deacons to help, and DEACON-5 was born! Now, he has four fellow helpers, each sending out one Gospel reflection each week.

DEACON-5 is made up of the following Catholic Deacons from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:

Deacon Ray & Connie Gallego have been married for 35 years. They are assigned to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Rowland Heights; CA. Ray currently works as a Director for Mary’s Village (a subsidiary of Mary’s Mercy Center) which is a Transitional Living Facility for men. Ray was ordained in 2019.

Deacon Chuck & Linda McDaniels have been married for just about 33 years.  They are assigned to St Rita Parish in Sierra Madre.  When not ministering as a deacon couple, Deacon Chuck is an IT Project Manager, and Linda is a substitute teacher extraordinaire.  They would also never object to having margaritas (Just ask Deacon Ray & Connie!). Chuck was ordained to the diaconate along with Ray and George in 2019.

Deacon Steve and Rose Hillmann have been married for 44 years. They minister together at their home parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Community Rowland Heights, and they share diaconal duties at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Community in Walnut.

Deacon Steve and Rose both actively serve with the Los Angeles Police Department as a Police Chaplain and Specialist Reserve respectively. They also are actively involved within both parishes in the Food Pantry Ministry.

Deacon Steve was ordained in 1994 and was accompanied by Rose throughout the five year formation process, which preceded ordination. Dn. Steve served in the DEACON5 website from 2000 – 2022.

Deacon Paul & Ana were ordained on August 22^nd, 2020 and are part of the Beatitudes of Our Lord Parish family in La Mirada. They have been married for 40 years, have four children and six grandchildren.  Both retired from State Service in 2017 and are enjoying serving our church in different ways and ministries.

Deacon George & Tricia Mora have been married for 22 years and are blessed with three children, and six grandchildren. They minister together at their home parish of St. Cornelius, Long Beach. Deacon George was ordained in 2019.

Deacon George and Tricia are involved in several ministries; both are active board members of the St. Francis Center, of Long Beach. They are involved with their Garden of Hope community garden, where they are bringing volunteers to help grow, harvest and deliver 600 lbs. of fresh vegetables to local area food pantries and shelters in Long Beach.

Deacon Mike and Martha celebrated 50 years married June 2022.  We have 3 adult daughters and 3 granddaughters.  Deacon Mike was ordained in June 2010 and assigned to Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church, La Mirada.  We are both retired and serve our parish in the R.C.I.A. program, visiting the sick and homebound, Spiritual Director for the Los Angeles Cursillo and other ministries.