Former Nurse At Portsmouth Hospital; Derry Cop Are Now Deacons

MANCHESTER, NH — A former Portsmouth Regional Hospital nurse from Maine and a former Derry police officer recently transitioned to diaconate at St. Joseph Cathedral May 30, according to the Diocese of Manchester.

The transition to become a deacon is the first of three ranks of the Catholic Church before becoming a priest, episcopacy, and bishop.

David Gagnon, the son of Marcel and Constance Gagnon, grew up in Manchester, attended St. Anthony of Padua Parish, and Trinity High School. He has a degree in philosophy from Providence College and was a police officer in Derry before entering the seminary. Gagnon is in his fourth year of theology and will serve his summer assignment at St. Joseph's.

Joseph Moynahan, the son of Robert and Carla Moynahan, was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Parish in Portsmouth and attended Marshwood High School in South Berwick, ME. He graduated with a nursing degree from the University of Southern Indiana. Before entering seminary, he worked as a registered nurse at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Moynahan is also in his fourth year will serve this summer in a parish in New Hampshire, too.

"We give thanks to God that, even in these uncertain times, he continues to call men in our diocese to consider a vocation to the priesthood," said Rev. Peter Libasci, the bishop of Manchester. "These young men are aware of the challenges but are also emboldened to prepare to be faithful priests who help to build up the church here in New Hampshire. I ask that you please keep all of our seminarians in your prayers and continue to pray for more vocations to the priesthood here in the Diocese of Manchester."

The diocese has 13 men preparing for the priesthood at seminaries around the country.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube channel.