Men of steel: number of deacons more than doubles in Pittsburgh

A reader sent me the picture below: dalmatics and stoles awaiting their deacons before today’s ordination in Pittsburgh.

The local paper did a nice write-up about the diaconate recently, noting:

“The full vision and mission of the diaconate as a ministry of service can be manifested in a variety of ways,” said Deacon Stephen Byers, director of the diocesan Office for the Diaconate.

Bishop David Zubik will ordain 44 men to the diaconate June 11 at St. Paul Cathedral. They include one transitional deacon, Kevin Fazio, who is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood next year, and 43 permanent deacons.

There are 35 deacons who already are in active ministry in the diocese and who “help to make the ‘Church Alive,'” Deacon Byers said.

“Their ministries will soon be supplemented with the assignments that the newly ordained deacons will receive on the day of their ordination,” he said.

I’ll post more details and pictures as they come in.  Meantime, welcome to the new deacons of Pittsburgh!