The Deacon's Bench
Details, from the Texas Catholic Herald News:
Twenty-nine men received the sacrament of Holy Orders in a Mass celebrated Jan. 26 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. For each, it marked the end of six years of rigorous study and pastoral formation — and the beginning of consecrated life in the Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
There are now about 380 permanent deacons serving in the Archdiocese — some working in parishes and schools, serving as liturgists, homilists, catechists, ministers and administrators, while others commit to social ministries such as corrections services, special youth, hospital ministry, port chaplaincy and much more. They assist bishops and priests at the celebration of the Eucharist, assist and bless marriages, preside over baptisms, funerals and other special blessings. They balance their ordination with their “ordinary” lives, some as husbands, dads and breadwinners.
“Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way,” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all.”
A deacon’s commitment to the Church is no small thing. For family men especially, it’s a family commitment. “Everything is done in the context of marriage and family,” said Deacon Gerald W. DuPont, director of the Diaconate for the Archdiocese. He is also the chief diaconate advisor to the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops.
Congratulations! Ad multos annos, brothers!
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