Diaconal Ministry
A Trinitarian Perspective
Deacon Bob Yerhot Comments Off on A Trinitarian Perspective
The great revelation of the Incarnation was the Trinitarian nature of God. God had revealed himself as one throughout salvation history and in fullness of time. He further revealed he is three persons. Of this, all Christians agree and profess; in this, much can be understood about our own lives. Indeed, this central mystery of Read More
Entering into the Pain of Another
Deacon Dominic Cerrato Comments Off on Entering into the Pain of Another
To serve others is to perceive a need in them and, to the extent possible, help them satisfy that need. If it’s hunger, we give them food. If it’s faith, we proclaim the Good News. If it’s loneliness, we give them company. Sometimes, this means doing something. Most times, it just means being present. In Read More
Never Too Old to Serve
Carlos Briceño Comments Off on Never Too Old to Serve
One of the key reasons used by Pope John XXIII for convening the Second Vatican Council was aggiornamento, an Italian word meaning “updating.” That is exactly what Patrick McDonald needed regarding his life as a Catholic upon his return to his native Michigan after living and working in Europe for several years during the early Read More
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
Deacon Dominic Cerrato 1
At ordination, we kneel before the bishop and pledge fidelity to him and to his successors. Of course, this comes as no surprise to us as a condition of ordination requires that we sign, just prior to ordination, the mandatum, stating the very same thing. What is pledged at ordination is a formalization and public Read More
A Look at ‘Our Life of Service’
Leon Suprenant Comments Off on A Look at ‘Our Life of Service’
Since his ordination to the diaconate 20 years ago, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers has been a leading light in the diaconate community, in large part because of his dynamic presentations on a wide range of topics, from apologetics and men’s ministry to sacraments and racism, as well much, much more. What a treat for all of Read More
The Deacon and the Eucharist
Deacon James Keating Comments Off on The Deacon and the Eucharist
Part of the mystery of the diaconal vocation is that the deacon participates in the sanctifying ministry of the bishop, a ministry that calls all to holiness (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1558). The ministry of the deacon can be found at the ambo and the altar, but also at the doorway where Read More
Not a Typical Good Friday
Deacon John Travaline 1
Good Friday this year, to say the least, was very unusual and anything but typical. And we all know why. It occurred in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and at a time early in the pandemic when everyone was still adapting to the crisis. It was a period characterized by heightened fears and Read More
Serving the Suffering Church: The Serenity of Surrender
Teresa Tomeo Comments Off on Serving the Suffering Church: The Serenity of Surrender
“We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we flounder: we need the Lord like the ancient navigators needed the stars.” — Pope Francis, “Urbi et Orbi,” March 27, 2020 Diaconate couples have a deep understanding concerning the peace and serenity that comes with surrendering to God. As Pope Francis highlighted in his recent extraordinary “urbi et Read More