From the Diocese of Cleveland website:
Five years of preparation — a year of aspirancy and four years of education and formation – culminated in the ordination of three men as permanent deacons. They will be engaged in a ministry of service in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
The newly ordained deacons are Donald Brandt from St. John Neumann Parish in Strongsville; Francisco Miranda from St. Michael Parish in Cleveland; and John Nelson from St. Mary Parish in Mentor.
Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, celebrated the Aug. 29 ordination Mass in the cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. Because of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the celebration was by invitation only but the Mass was livestreamed on the diocesan website.
In the homily, Bishop Amos talked about the origins of the diaconate in the early days of the Church. He said the first seven deacons were men of character and fine spirit chosen to help the apostles minister to the growing needs in the Church so the apostles could focus more on prayer and spreading the Good News. From the beginning, the diaconate centered on a ministry of service.
“I am about to perform the same ancient ritual,” the bishop told the ordinandi, noting that he would lay his hands on each of them as was done to the first deacons. He said they were men of fine character, as were the original deacons.
“This (ordination) was only possible because of the love and support of your spouses,” he said. “They have walked with you through your year of apirancy and four years of formation and they will continue to walk with you.”
And check out photos from the ordination at the Diocese of Cleveland Diaconate Facebook page.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
