Friday News Roundup: Catholic Charities Shoe Drive; Lenten Stations of the Cross; Obituaries

Do you have any pairs of new or gently-used shoes you’re not using? Donate them to Catholic Charities in Gallup and be entered to win a Chromebook!

Deacon William Patrick Beaton, 82, known as “Deacon Bill,” of St. Mark Parish in Denton,TX died Tuesday, November 25, 2020.

“He really believed in life and believed in the Lord. He would call it the way he saw it, too,” said Deacon Jim Galbraith, who served with Deacon Beaton at St. Mark. “‘Semper Fi!’ He would always use that slogan from the Marine Corps. He would always close any conversation with Semper Fi — always faithful.”

Deacon Beaton was born Sept. 16, 1932, in Boston to Albert and Annie MacEachen Beaton, the fifth of six children. Bill, as he was called, attended Boston Latin High School, and served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Marine Corps as a first lieutenant during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Boston College and an avid reader. He married Kathleen Anne Cashman on July 4, 1964, and for most of their married life they lived in Connecticut where they raised their four children. Before his call to the diaconate, he worked as a labor relations specialist for several U.S. corporations.

After moving to New Mexico, he was ordained to the diaconate for the Diocese of Gallup on June 12, 1998, by Bishop Donald Pelotte. While in that diocese, he served at St. Vivian Parish in Milan from 1998 to 1999, and at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Cebolleta, Our Lady of Light in Cubero, and St. Joseph in San Fidel from 1999 to 2006. Deacon Beaton and his wife relocated to Denton in 2006, and he was granted faculties to practice ministry in 2007 by Bishop Kevin Vann. He had served at St. Mark since that time.

Deacon Galbraith said he met Deacon Beaton when he (Galbraith) moved to Denton in 2007. Deacon Galbraith said Deacon Beaton had a very distinctive Boston accent and recalled how the two would trade military stories.

“I was in the Navy, [so] he was always jabbing me,” recalled Deacon Galbraith, referencing the rivalry between the Marines and the Navy. “We had a good rapport with one another.”

Deacon Galbraith said Deacon Beaton also talked about how he, as a deacon, and his wife Kathleen, as a nurse, used to work on the Indian Reservations in New Mexico.

Serving together in Denton, the two deacons also worked in prison ministry, conducting Communion services for the inmates on Fridays.

“He was very devout in his faith,” Deacon Galbraith said. “He was willing to share his time and his talent for the men.”

Sean Stenovitch, a district deputy for the Knights of Columbus overseeing councils in Denton, Decatur, and Pilot Point, was grand knight of St. Mark’s Council 12553 while Deacon Beaton served as the council’s associate chaplain.

“He was well-liked,” Stenovitch said. “He was active. He showed up at the meetings and participated. I remember when he came to the first meeting and introduced himself as Deacon Beaton, and he jumped right in,” Stenovitch said.

Before Deacon Beaton had to retire from active ministry for medical reasons, he served at Mass at St. Mark, occasionally proclaiming the Gospel and preaching homilies.

“I’m certain he’s with the Lord,” Deacon Galbraith said. “Obviously, God Almighty is the ultimate judge, but in my mind he’s … up there, helping St. Peter at the pearly gates.”

A memorial service was held for Deacon Beaton on January 16 at The Immaculata in San Diego.

His ashes were interred at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Beaton, and his four children: Sarah Beaton Williams of Arlington, Virginia; Rachelle Beaton Loconte of Double Oak, Texas; Deirdre Beaton La Placa of LaVerne, California; and Alexander Beaton of San Diego, along with seven grandchildren and four siblings.

ADRIAN, MICHIGAN – Sister Esther Ortega, formerly known as Sister Consolata Marie Ortega, died on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. She was 86 years of age and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Esther was born in Douglas, Arizona, to Jose and Maria (Medrano) Ortega. She graduated from Douglas High School in Douglas; received a Bachelor of Home Economics degree from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; and earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. She was also certified in Parent Effectiveness by the Effective Training Association.

Sister Esther spent 14 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Oak Lawn and Oak Park, Illinois; Tucumcari and Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Winslow, Arizona; and 34 years in pastoral ministry/adult education in Albuquerque and Chama, New Mexico, and El Paso and San Elizario, Texas. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2012.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Peter, Edward and George and her sister, Irene. She is survived by a brother, Raul (Amelia) Ortega of Arlington, Texas, and a sister, Connie Gomez of Gilbert, Arizona, loving nieces and nephews and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Father Thomas F. Manion, a priest in the Diocese of Pittsburgh for 64 years, died on February 3 at the age of 92.

He was the son of Thomas and Julia Manion and the brother of James, John (both deceased) and Arthur (wife – Judith) as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins whose lives he touched deeply.

After attending St. Colman Elementary School in Turtle Creek and St. Thomas High School in Braddock he enlisted in the Army Air Force and served in the Army of Occupation in Japan for two years. He then attended Duquesne University and graduated in 1952. After graduation he realized his long-time vocation and entered the Seminary at Saint Vincent and in May of 1957 was ordained a priest.

A Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, most of Fr. Tom’s service in the Diocese was spent as a Chaplain to local hospitals including 22 years as Catholic Chaplain at Mayview State Hospital. He also had short stints as Vicar in various parishes (St. John the Evangelist, St. Luke, St. Louise de Marillac, St. Sebastian, and Most Holy Name of Jesus) as well as Administrator at Epiphany and St. Mary (German). At the same time Fr. Tom served as Chaplain to the Catholic Physicians and Nurses of Pittsburgh as well as the City of Pittsburgh Firefighters. He was also appointed to the Diocesan Board of Consultors and the Priest’s Benefit Plan Board during his career.

Perhaps his most challenging and rewarding ministry was a six-year experience with the Navajo Indians in Crownpoint, New Mexico where he did Missionary work at St. Paul’s Mission. Fr. Tom had been inspired to be a Missionary by the memory and example of his uncle, Fr. Arthur Manion, S.V.D., who died tragically during WWII while serving in Papua, New Guinea. He always said that his years with the Navajo had taught him much and had a deep influence on his religious and personal life.

Fr. Tom retired from active ministry in 1998 and lived at St. John Vianney Manor, a retirement home for priests.

He was much loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. When asked how one should live one’s life, he always advised, “Be an example of God’s love, compassion and forgiveness when dealing with ALL people!”

Bishop Wall will lead the Stations of the Cross every Wednesday of Lent at 6 pm in the Chapel at Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Gallup.

The intentions for this prayer time are for the survivors of sexual abuse and victims of the pandemic.  On Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021, he will lead the Stations of the Cross, distribute Ashes and offer Mass.  Please join us in praying for healing for all who have suffered any kind of abuse and suffering.

The Friday news roundup presents a quick overview of Catholic stories and events from around the Diocese of Gallup, United States, and world. Have a news tip or event to promote? Email [email protected], call 505-863-4406 or mail us at PO Box 1338, Gallup NM 87305.