Diocese of Allentown Bishop John O. Barres will ordain Joseph S. Ganser of Kutztown as a transitional deacon in ceremonies at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 10:30 a.m. A transitional deacon is one step from becoming a priest.

Ganser, 28, entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia after graduating from Muhlenberg College in Allentown with a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and Spanish in 2006. He graduate from Kutztown High School in 2002. He is the son of Gayle and Steve Ganser of Kutztown.After his ordination, Ganser will spend much of the next year promoting charity, proclaiming the Gospel and administering the Sacrament of Baptism before being ordained a priest next spring.