The Deacon's Bench
An email arrived last night:
Yesterday, the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, ordained eight men to the diaconate: Peter Richard Auriemma, Christopher Georges, Andrew Gilliland, Dennis Lambert, Frank Nevarez, Richard Nevins, Mark Veazie, Jose Angel Torres.
Congratulations and welcome, brothers! Ad multos annos!
You can read profiles of the new deacons at the Diocese of Phoenix website, which also has an exemplary page devoted to the diaconate.
Hopefully, pictures and details of the bishop’s homily will be coming soon!
UPDATE: The Catholic Sun has more:
Each ordinand knelt in front of the bishop on the altar to pledge their fidelity to him and receive the book of the Gospels. The bishop said it can be frightening to hear God’s word at first. Grace frees the heart to be obedient like Jesus was, he said.
“Christ today has consecrated you in truth… and teaching and serving in His name. Do so with a joyful heart,” the bishop said, noting a missionary joy that Pope Francis proclaimed. “As deacons — ministers of Jesus Christ — do the will of God from the heart.”
Wives go through formation with their husbands and often serve with them in their ministry. The Class of 2014 featured such a young cohort that there were often age-appropriate lessons for the children too so learning and discussion could flow more seamlessly at home.
Jessica Gilliand found formation with her husband, Andrew, to be fruitful for their entire family, even if in the end he hadn’t been called to ordination.
“He’s grown as a father and as a husband by leaps and bounds. His gentleness and his humility have grown and have helped us to be closer to God,” Jessica said.
Formation also gave her a chance to watch the new generation and the New Evangelization up close and personal with the children. The couple has three young boys on earth, two children in heaven and one in the womb.
“It’s like having a front row seat to God’s plan for us,” she said.
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