A grateful diaconal bow to Deacon Phil Lawson for passing this along!
The news, from Vermont Catholic:
Burlington Bishop Christopher Coyne ordained four men to the permanent diaconate at a special Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral Sept. 26.
The men ordained are: Deacon George Flower who will serve at St. John the Baptist/St. Anthony/St. Mary churches in Enosburg/Sheldon/Franklin; Armand Auclair who will serve All Saints/St. Isidore/Our Lady of Lourdes in Richford/Montogomery Center and East Berkshire; Paul Kendall serving Holy Family Parish in Springfield and Chester; and Tom McCormick serving St. Francis Xavier Church in Winooski.
“The permanent deacon is ordered to the ministry of the altar, the ministry of the word and the ministry of charity,” Bishop Coyne said.
As ministers of the word, deacons serve as evangelizers and teachers. As ministers of the liturgy, they assist not only the priest at the altar but also the gathered assembly throughout the liturgy.
Deacons may preside at other liturgical functions such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest and bringing communion to the sick and homebound.
As ministers of charity, the deacon is out in the world – bringing the ministry and presence of the Church to those who need it.
“This three-fold ministry is often expressed and experienced as separate ministries, but in the person of the deacon, the ministries of word, liturgy and charity actually become one ministry,” explained Josh Perry, director of worship for the Diocese of Burlington. “The deacon at liturgy, then, presents a model of ministry for all of us. Our work of evangelization consists in our proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and our worship of God and our prayers for the needs of others, and our work of charity and justice in the world. The Christian life isn’t simply one or two of these, but it is all of them.”
During the ordination Mass, Bishop Coyne spoke about the “permanent” commitment the deacons were making, pointing out their witness to the faith, the permanence of their faith and the permanence of their marriage commitment. They bring to their ministry their Christian life, their life of marriage and their work life, he added.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
