An early Christmas gift!
Details from The Catholic Post:
In ordaining 20 permanent deacons for the Diocese of Peoria on Saturday at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Louis Tylka asked them not to see the joy-filled liturgy as the culmination of more than five years of preparation, but rather “the beginning of what is to come” in their life of service.
“The world looks to you to see the reflection of Christ’s light and Christ’s life,” Bishop Tylka told the deacon candidates in a homily during the Rite of Ordination.
If you remember that you are ordained to serve, and not to be served, if you are faithful to share your mission with others, if you allow the Holy Spirit to be your helper and your guide, and if you allow Jesus to love you and to invite you to share that same love with others, then as co-workers in the vineyard your light will shine bright.
“Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine,” he repeated for emphasis.
The two hour, 15 minute Mass began with an opening procession lasting more than seven minutes as the deacon candidates entered the cathedral accompanied by their wives – 18 are married – and taking places in the first three pews. The procession also included nearly 20 altar servers and seminarians, about 50 deacons, 40 priests, a Knights of Columbus honor guard, and Bishop Tylka.
Bishop Emeritus Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who was chief shepherd when Deacon Class 11 began their formation, was present in the sanctuary and, with Bishop Tylka, prayed the rosary with the deacon candidates and their wives just prior to the ordination Mass.
The newly ordained deacons (with the names of their wives, who accompanied them through the formation years) and their parishes, include:
Deacon Jeffrey (Lynette) Brady, St. Jude, Peoria
Deacon Michael (Marie) Burge, Our Lady of the Lake, Mahomet
Deacon Mark (Gail) Bursott, Holy Family, Peoria
Deacon Terry (Amy) Dixon, St. Mark, Peoria
Deacon Thomas (Margaret) Dwyer, St. Mark, Peoria
Deacon Daniel (Jenny) Fandel, St. Mary of Lourdes, Germantown Hills
Deacon Richard (Kelly) Flavin, St. Mary of Lourdes, Germantown Hills
Deacon Daniel (Debbie) Froelich, St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington
Deacon Kevin (Susanna) Hernandez, Christ the King, Moline
Deacon John (Daphne) Louie, St. Mary, Downs
Deacon Matthew Martel, Sacred Heart, Moline
Deacon Marco (Alba) Martinez, St. Mary, Moline
Deacon Thomas (Debbie) Mattan, St. Malachy, Geneseo
Deacon Michael (Denise) Maynard, Sacred Heart, Moline
Deacon Troy (Teresa) Morris, St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington
Deacon Brian (Michelle) Reynolds, Heart of Peoria Catholic Community
Deacon David (Leanne) Schug, St. Matthew, Champaign
Deacon Curtis Theyse, St. Mary, Canton
Deacon Robert (Shauna) Thoene, St. Malachy, Geneseo
Deacon Raymond (CeCe) White, St. Mary, Pontiac
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
Observation: This is the only ordination picture I can recall that shows the newly ordained wearing the alb and stole, without a dalmatic.
UPDATE: A Peorian writes:
We do have dalmatics coming. The trim, (I think it is called piping) has been backordered from France for the past 3 months. We are supposed to get our Dalmatics in January now. The thought was: better to wait and get dalmatics that match the rest of the diocese that to have 1 class look different.
Photo: The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems
