HENDERSONVILLE — This December, three men will be ordained deacons as they take this step toward the priesthood together for the Diocese of Charlotte.
Daniel Chaves Peña and Juan González Hernández, both from Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville, and Hendersonville native James Connor Tweed of St. John the Baptist Parish in nearby Tryon will be ordained to holy orders Dec. 6 at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville.
The church was selected because both Chaves and González have served in varied capacities there for the past two years, and Tweed has deep ties to the area, explained Father John Eckert, director of vocations for the diocese.
González’s journey to the priesthood had its roots in his first Holy Communion.
He received the sacrament from his brother during his brother’s first Mass as a priest. Because of that experience, González understands what being a priest will mean to those who will come in contact with him.
“I am aware that I will become a representation of Christ’s Church,” he said. “Yes, it is a big responsibility, but I am also conscious of the fact that God’s grace will take charge of my role.”
Tweed was on a very different path early in life. He dreamed of becoming an archaeologist or marine biologist before he got pulled into studying medicine and then realized his true calling during a retreat in Atlanta.
“I was completely unprepared – the thought had never even entered my mind,” he recalled. “Almost before I knew it, I stood. In that moment, I understood with clarity and joy that my life belonged to Him.”
Chaves’ journey to the priesthood has been a beautiful learning process.
“Many think that this process is saying yes and that’s it, homework finished, but that’s not true,” he said. “It’s about growing one’s faith and to pursue God in everything.”
This will be Father Eckert’s first ordination Mass as vocations director.
“I’m grateful and honored that Bishop Martin asked me to step into the role,” he said. “To get to stand up there on their behalf in such a special way and to do so in December is like an early Christmas present for us all.”
After their ordination, these three men will be considered “transitional” deacons as compared to “permanent” deacons.
Transitional deacons generally serve a year in pastoral, liturgical and educational preparation before they are considered for ordination to the priesthood in May 2026. Permanent deacons can be married and do not go on to be ordained priests.
All are welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Mass Saturday, Dec. 6, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, located at 208 7th Ave. in Hendersonville.
— Trish Stukbauer
Watch the Mass:
The sciences that led to the seminary
As a young man, seminarian James Tweed dreamed of discovering the wonders of history and studying the life of the world’s oceans. He wanted to be an archaeologist and marine biologist while he was in high school.
As the years passed, his talents led him to studies in molecular biology, chemistry and math. He worked at the Max Planck Neuroscience Institute and considered studying medicine at the University of Miami.
Yet he also felt called to something more. He felt a call to the priesthood in high school but pursued other interests.
Then, while attending a Steubenville retreat in Atlanta, there was a call for men considering the priesthood to stand up. Suddenly, everything became clear.
Those other paths fell away and he embarked on the path of the Gospel.
Tweed is in his final year of theology studies at The Athenaeum in Ohio.
His background has come in handy during his time at seminary. This summer, he served as an interfaith chaplain at Atrium Health’s Trauma Center at Carolinas Medical Center.
What are your hobbies? Working out, writing poetry and prose, walking in the woods, oil painting and hosting friends.
What is your favorite saint? The Blessed Virgin Mary. When I’m with her, I feel very close to Jesus.
What is your favorite Bible verse? “For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness” (Wisdom 7:25-26).
What was your journey of discernment like? God planted the seed of my vocation from my earliest years. It grew quietly, nurtured by grace, the sacraments and the loving care of my family.
There were moments when I sensed I was set apart for something special, though I couldn’t yet see what that would be.
Then came the moment during the Steubenville retreat in Atlanta. I was completely unprepared – the thought had never even entered my mind. I did not want this path, and I could not have imagined choosing it myself. Yet, in that moment, I felt an irresistible movement within my heart. It was as if the Lord spoke my name in a way that embraced my whole being, drawing me with a love both commanding and tender. Almost before I knew it, I stood. In that moment, I understood with clarity and joy that my life belonged to Him.
What has your experience been like so far in the seminary? The greatest joy has been the lifelong bonds formed with my brothers, discerning the Lord’s call alongside me. These friendships, rooted in prayer, shared struggles and mutual encouragement, are a constant source of joy and strength.
Any advice for men considering the priesthood? The joy, peace and purpose that come from embracing God’s plan for your life far surpass any earthly attachment. Do not be afraid to trust Him, even when the path is unclear. God’s call is a gift.
— Christina Lee Knauss
God’s call put runner on different track
Daniel Chaves Peña thought he had his life all worked out. A track star living in New Jersey, he was close to achieving his dreams as an athlete, but suddenly his life changed. God had different plans for him – plans to which he eventually would say yes.
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Chaves moved to New Jersey in 1993 at a young age. As he matured, so did the quiet call God was placing in his heart. He entered seminary and completed his philosophical studies in Spain in 2010.
His journey of formation led him to missions in Peru from 2016 to 2018, and then to Rome, where he earned his Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology in 2021. In 2023, Chaves joined the Diocese of Charlotte’s seminary program and is serving the community of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville as he awaits receiving holy orders.
When did you first feel a calling to the priesthood? When I got to what was going to be my last year of high school, I ran cross-country and I was doing pretty well. I had many scholarship offers from universities here in the United States, and in the final race of the state championship in New Jersey, I collapsed just before reaching the finish line. They rushed me to the ER, and they told me it was my sugar levels – they were extremely low. That began a crisis not only health-wise, but spiritually. And I wasn’t getting better. I had relapses, so the decision was made for me to return to Colombia with my mom.
It was during that crisis when I had to face reality. Because everyone thought my future was so bright, and suddenly I realized life ends and things aren’t just fun or passing time. You face reality and the question arises. And as I said, it wasn’t just “change your life” but “give yourself to Me.” But that was a vague first call that I didn’t fully understand until much later.
How did life in Colombia lead to you choosing this calling? When I went to Colombia, I reconnected with the Church through my paternal grandparents, especially through the Charismatic
Renewal at the Minuto de Dios, a very strong movement in Colombia. Even though I’ve never felt particularly drawn to the Charismatic Renewal, it was like the door that opened for me to search for what I was looking for. And eventually that same grandmother took me to a silent weekend retreat – an Ignatian retreat in Bogotá – where I found the call.
At that retreat I remember thinking, yes, maybe this is it, but we’re always reluctant to face what God asks of us because we know God asks for a lot. So there was that fear: if I say yes, everything else is over. But the thought kept returning, resonating, until I said, I can’t live with myself if I say no.
What does your family think about your decision to be a priest? My dad always supported me and told me, “If that’s what you believe God is asking, go ahead.” My mom had a harder time because moms are moms, and I’m her only child. That bond is special, and it isn’t easy – I understand that. She didn’t oppose it directly, but you could tell she didn’t share that ideal at first. But beautifully, as time has gone by, she’s now a model Catholic.
— Brian Segovia
Following a family tradition of service
For some, serving the Kingdom of God as a priest is an intimidating calling, but Juan González Hernández knew from the age of 7 that God had plans for him.
González’s devout Catholic upbringing in Mexico City led him to encounter his vocation in one of the most moving ways possible – witnessing his brother’s ordination to the priesthood and receiving his first Holy Communion from him during his first Mass.
Born on Oct. 1, 1990, in Tapalapa, Chiapas, González grew up in a faith-filled family where service to the Church was a natural part of life, with siblings who went on to become priests, religious sisters and educators. His early calling led him to formation in Spain in 2007, followed by ministry in Peru and advanced theological studies in Rome, where he completed master’s degrees in philosophy and moral theology in 2021.
Drawn to serve the Hispanic Catholic community, González is assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville and lives at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly. Choosing
Deacon Bryan Ilagor to vest him at his diaconate ordination, González continues to prepare for priesthood while enjoying music, literature and hiking as he deepens his commitment to a life of service in Christ.
When did you first feel a calling to the priesthood? It was the day that my brother was ordained a priest in 1997 when I was just about to turn 7 years old. On that day, the light bulb in me lit up and I asked myself, “What if I myself become a priest one day, like my brother?”
What was it like to continue your studies by leaving for Spain? My brother, a priest, and two of my sisters, who were cloistered nuns, lived there. My brother studied in Spain while in seminary and my sisters were also a part of the institute Obra de Amor, which brought them to Spain.
Having them there was helpful, because even though it was a new experience for me, I could be close to my family and learn from them.
What does it mean to you to be able to serve the Hispanic community in this diocese? I have lived in many different places with a variety of cultures. I feel as though I mold well to both communities, the Anglo and Hispanic communities. So the idea that my mentor at Immaculate Conception in Hendersonville, Father Andrés Gutierrez, has mentioned is to create a singular and strong community out of both of those cultures. That way, people do not show divisions but, rather, the church becomes a place where everyone feels like one community.
What will it mean for you to become a deacon? It is a radical change in my life, because after this moment I will be a representative of not only the Church, but of Jesus Christ. Of course, the responsibility is much bigger, but I am also conscious that God’s grace, the prayers of the faithful and a spiritual life, help to take charge of that weight.
— Brian Segovia
