A Father and Son’s Journey from Addiction to the Altar

December 18, 2025 World News

Nine men were ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate for the Diocese of Trenton on Saturday, November 15, 2025, during a solemn liturgy celebrated at the Co-Cathedral of St.. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold, New Jersey. Among them was Deacon Gerald “Gez” Ford, whose journey of faith and service culminated in this sacred moment as Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., laid hands upon him in the ancient rite of ordination. His father, Deacon Tony Ford was also in attendance, smiling proudly in this photo alongside his son.

Tony and Gez had seen it all — and lost it all — in their individual journeys of addiction, recovery and conversion.