Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville posted late Friday the news that he was going to ordain Ken Conklin as a permanent deacon, several months ahead of the rest of his class. Ken is in hospice care and, as the bishop noted, “his time in this world is very limited.”
Sunday, the bishop posted on Facebook these images of Saturday’s remarkable ordination.
Mass was celebrated on the deck outside Ken’s home, overlooking the mountains outside Knoxville.
After, the newly-minted Deacon Ken posed for a photo with his classmates.
Congratulations and welcome, brother! Ad multos annos!