The Deacon's Bench
Photo by Ashleigh Buyers | Catholic Herald
Following up on the beautiful photo from last weekend, here’s a fuller report from The Arlington Catholic Herald:
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde ordained 11 men to the permanent diaconate Jan. 17 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.
The 11 new deacons are: Robert E. Benyo, Robert R. Gillispie, Rafael A. Goldsmith, Helio A. Gomez, Thomas H. McQuillan, Michael J. Mochel, Patrick A. Ouellette, Antonio J. Remedios, Atanacio Sandoval, James R. Van de Voorde and Michael A. Waters.
Four of the new deacons were born outside the United States. Deacons Sandoval and Gomez were born in El Salvador, Deacon Remedios was born in Hong Kong and Deacon Van de Voorde was born in Australia.
A standing-room only crowd of family and friends packed the cathedral for the ceremony. Deacon Albert A. Anderson Jr. served as deacon of the call, while Deacon John A. Hubbarth was deacon of the word.
“Once again, this diocesan church of Arlington rejoices and gives thanks,” Bishop Loverde said. “We rejoice in the ordination of 11 more permanent deacons who are so eager and willing to assist the diocesan bishop and his priests in the pastoral ministry of teaching, sanctifying and shepherding.
The new deacons will help the bishop and his priests as ministers of the Word, of the altar and of charity. As ministers of the altar, they will proclaim the Gospel, prepare the sacrifice and give the Lord’s Body and Blood to the community of believers.
Bishop Loverde instructed the new deacons to do the will of God from the heart. He said the newly ordained are now part of the “Christian revolution of self-emptying service to others.”
He told them to be men “of good reputation, above reproach among God and man. “I commend you to Christ, the Divine Healer. Keep your hearts fixed on Him,” the bishop said.
“Dear brothers, I welcome you with all my heart and I look forward to serving God’s people with you at my side,” he said.
Meantime, the father-son clergy I mentioned last weekend shared a Mass of Thanksgiving the day after the ordination:
The sacristy at All Saints Church in Manassas was empty just before the 11:30 Mass Jan. 18, save for two men. Father Joseph Goldsmith, a priest of the Richmond Diocese, and his father, newly ordained Deacon Rafael “Ralph” Goldsmith, were vesting for Deacon Goldsmith’s first Mass as a permanent deacon.
“What a special moment,” said Deacon Goldsmith. “It’s (wonderful) to be called to serve.”
Photo by Dave Borowski | Catholic Herald
His son, Father Joseph, added “It’s a great joy — and humbling.”
Father Lee R. Roos, pastor, joined the two men, vested and walked to the front of the church in preparation for the historic parish event.
“We welcome Father Joseph and congratulate Deacon Ralph,” Father Roos said before the Mass began.
For his first homily, Deacon Goldsmith walked to the front of the altar and began his sermon, not behind the pulpit, but pacing the altar, using humor to make his points.
His homily was on the theme “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” God wants us to pay attention to His call.
After Mass, and before dismissal, Father Goldsmith spoke to the congregation. He said that he and his father wondered how the two should be addressed in the family. They came up with “Father Son, Deacon Dad.”
Father Goldsmith, parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament Church in Harrisonburg, spoke of the two vocations in the family, gently chiding his father, “Some got there sooner, Dad.”
At the reception that followed the Mass, well-wishers waited in line to congratulate the new deacon. Bruce Koeppel embraced the deacon, his friend of 20 years.
“It’s a blessing for the community,” Koeppel said.
Father Roos also noted the event’s importance to the parish.
“This is a great day of blessing for the All Saints parish and for the deacons who serve in so many ways to help spread the message of Jesus through their service of charity and preaching,” said Father Roos.
Check out the rest, along with additional pictures, here.
Congratulations and welcome, brothers. Ad multos annos!
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