A gumshoe for God: meet the deacon detective

Here’s further evidence that deacons come from every walk of life.

In retirement, Mario Ortega does more in a week than many people do in months. This dedicated public servant is both a deacon for Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and a detective with the Maricopa Police Department.

Ortega became a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Tucson under Bishop Gerald Kicanas in 2003. He joined Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in 2007.

“People really embrace you here,” said Ortega, speaking of Maricopa. “Everyone is so enthusiastic. It has been a real blessing to be here.”

The diaconate program, attended by the deacon and his wife, is four years of intensive study and training. Upon completing the program, the deacon candidate is ordained and assigned to a parish by the order of the bishop.

Ortega came to Maricopa from Casa Grande and retired after 28 years in law enforcement. He joined the Maricopa Police Department and asked the bishop to reassign him to Maricopa.

“I was by myself, without other ministers, when he approached me and said he was a deacon and offered to help,” said Fr. Marcos Velasquez, pastor of Our Lady of Grace. “He is very dependable, soft-spoken. He has been a great help.”

“The secret to retirement is to keep doing what you love to do and remember you are only as old as you feel,” Ortega said.

Ortega is true to his word as he continues his police work and his work with the church. His service with the Maricopa Police Department keeps him busy during the week, and church responsibilities occupy his weekends and evenings. Among his duties as deacon at the parish, Ortega teaches baptism classes in English and Spanish, helps with weekly Masses, assists with marriage preparation classes and gives the homily once a month at the weekend Mass services.

Ortega says he could not balance everything without the help of his wife, JoAnn. “She is my right hand and is very supportive,” Ortega said. “She understands the rigors of both being a detective and a deacon. JoAnn assists with whatever is needed in the parish and also works full time.”