New Permanent Deacon Class NEW PERMANENT DEACONS WILL BE ORDAINED APRIL 23 BY MARK DANIS
The new permanent deacon class will be ordained on April 23 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati. As a one of the 14 men in this class (and four others from the Diocese of Covington), I know the reasons that called each of us into this ministry are as varied as our sponsoring parishes. However, after three years of formation and seminary studies, many hours of community prayer and a great deal of reflection, there is one word that defines our future role in the Church: service. The title “deacon” derives from the Greek term diakonia, which means “to serve.” Everything in our preparation for future ministry centers on rendering service to our parishes and to the entire Body of Christ – the Church. The journey to diaconal ordination is not an easy path; formation requires commitment and sacrifice. We willingly chose to give up, or at least suspend, activities we valued and embrace a rigorous curriculum, something 1 0 | THE CATHOLIC TELE GRAPH
candidates may not have experienced since college. In our first year, we dedicated our time and energy to philosophy classes, understanding that this discipline is the critical foundation for later theological studies. We made it through other classes by learning to rely on one another, acknowledging our shortcomings and asking for help, and by relying on the continuous support of our remarkable spouses and families. Throughout the three years of formation, we spend two weekends of every month at the seminary studying sacred scripture, Canon Law, spirituality, preaching and sacramental, moral and liturgical theology. Those unfamiliar with praying the Divine Office are instructed in these daily prayers of the Church. Deacon candidates pray, and periodically lead in community, both the morning and evening hours of these prayers and pray the Rosary together in the evenings. Prayer, we understand, is essential. We must demonstrate our ability to
I would appreciate prayers for my family as I start this new ministry. They have supported me for the last five years as I went through the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program and Diaconate formation. They will continue to be my foundation for my ministry as an ordained deacon. I would also like prayers for an increase in the wisdom to discern God’s will in the situations that I will face as a deacon and the courage to carry out His will, no matter where He leads me. – Jeffrey Little St. Joseph Church, Wapakoneta
