The Deacon's Bench
How’s this for a Rocky Mountain High?
The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception was filled with family, friends and clergy on June 25 to witness the ordination of eight men to the diaconate.
Seven of the men—Matthew Archer, Charles Hahn, Steven Hinkle, Timothy Kelly, Jerome Kraft, Christopher Pomrening and Johnie Riviera—were ordained to serve the Archdiocese of Denver. One of the men—Colin Coleman—was ordained for the Community of the Beatitudes, a Catholic community that includes consecrated and lay members.
As the choir from Light of the World Parish sang “We Are Your People,” a Knights of Columbus honor guard led the entrance procession, which included two dozen priests, more than 50 deacons and the eight men who were to be ordained.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., was the ordaining prelate. Mass concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley; cathedral pastor Msgr. Thomas Fryar, Vicar for Clergy Msgr. Bernard Schmitz and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary rector Father Michael Glenn.
As the Rite of Ordination began, the deacon candidates were called forward by Deacon John Smith, director of formation for St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons, who then asked Archbishop Chaput that the men be ordained to the responsibility of the diaconate.
When the archbishop inquired about the worthiness of the candidates, Deacon Smith responded, “I testify that they have been found worthy.”
The congregation erupted into applause.
“Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ,” Archbishop Chaput said, “we choose these, our brothers, for the order of the diaconate.”
During his homily the archbishop spoke about the sacrament of holy orders and how an integral part of the ordination rite is the laying on of hands.
“This is a gesture of passing on, or entrusting to the next generation of ministers, the apostolic ministry of the Church, which we have received from the apostles,” he said.
Read the rest. Congratulations, brothers – -and ad multos annos!
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