Two men on priestly path to be ordained transitional deacons

TRENTON -- Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will ordain two new deacons for service in the Diocese of Trenton during a Mass May 16 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. Nicholas Alescio of Fair Haven and Benedict Bien Quiambao, born and raised in the Philippines, will serve the next year as transitional deacons and are expected to be ordained priests next spring. 
 
Nicholas Alescio was born in Red Bank to Michael and Catherine Alescio.  While growing up, Nicholas and his two siblings, Michael and Christine, were members of Nativity Parish, Fair Haven. Nicholas graduated from area public schools, including Rumson-Fair Haven High School. He then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass. Following his college graduation, he entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., from which he will have earned a Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Sacred Theology.

Alescio has conducted summer ministry assignments in St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor; St. Michael Parish, West End; St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, and St. Paul Parish, Princeton.

He will serve his diaconal year assignment in Visitation Parish, Brick.
Benedict Bien Quiambao was born in Bacacay, Albay, Philippines, to Angelica Bien Quiambao and Beda Mendoza Quiambao. The deacon candidate and his family – including sisters Bernadette, 32, and Mary Angeli, 16, and brother Joseph Bede, 7 – were members of St. Rose of Lima Parish. Benedict attended St. Agnes Academy in Legazpi City for both elementary and high school, graduating in 2012. The following year he entered nearby Mater Salutis College Seminary.

Quiambao spent his freshman year at Bicol University, Legazpi City, studying biology while discerning the priesthood. Transferring to Mater Salutis College Seminary, he earned a bachelor’s degree in classical philosophy in 2018. He went on to earn a certificate in teaching from Zamora Memorial College in 2020 and lectured from 2020-2022 at Bicol University. He then worked for four years for the Philippines Department of the Interior and Local Government, and for USAID in the Philippines as a research assistant and writer.

He has served summer assignments in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, and St. Rose Parish, Belmar, and has assisted in the Diocese’s Canonical Services and Tribunal.
This fall, Quiambao will graduate with a master of divinity degree and certificate in Hispanic ministry from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Emmitsburg, Md.  He will conduct his diaconal ministry year in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown.

The Mass will be attended by family members, friends and well-wishers of the two deacon candidates; priests of the Diocese will concelebrate. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome; the Mass will be livestreamed on Youtube.com/trentondiocese.