In this feature from The Priest archives, Michael R. Heinlein offers a look at the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, its history, customs and current practices.
With summer vacations on the roster, please respond soon to the feedback question: What are some of the most effective ways a deacon can share his diaconate with the laity? We need your feedback (100 words or less) via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include your name and the city and state where you live. Select responses will be in the September/October issue of The Deacon.
In the Diaconate
Catholic News Service provides a snapshot of the permanent diaconate of the findings of a study commissioned by the USCCB and conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.
On June 11 and June 25, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor of the Diocese of Little Rock will ordain 46 permanent deacons. Read more in the Arkansas Catholic.
Also, on June 11, 18 men were ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, reports Angelus News.
Deacon Dominic Cerrato explains that the unique contribution of the diaconate, that which gives it its distinguishing characteristic, is the revelation of Christ the Servant to the whole Church.
Catholic News Service reports that although many pro-life groups immediately reacted positively to the news that the majority of Supreme Court justices seem set to overturn the court’s Roe v. Wade decision, some tempered their reaction with a continued call for more advocacy while others kept a wait-and-see approach until the court issues its opinion in the weeks ahead.
The Priest offers weekly thought-provoking questions to ponder while preparing your homilies.
In the Diaconate
The Catholic Courier reports that on May 21, Bishop Salvatore R. Matano of Rochester will ordain R. Gerard de la Fuente, Alexander DeLucenay and José E. Rivera to the diaconate.
Deacon Jerry Jablonowski, executive director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services in New Jersey, talks about the Way of Saint James intergenerational walk and day of fellowship. Read more in the Catholic Star Herald.
Catholic Men's Leadership Alliance (CMLA) is assisting the Bishops with the three-year Eucharistic Revival. We have developed a free guide to make it easy for parishes and dioceses to plan a Eucharistic Procession.
Please respond to the feedback question: Where do you find inspiration for your diaconate? We need your feedback (100 words or less) via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include your name and the city and state where you live. Select responses will be in the March/April issue of The Deacon.
In the Diaconate
Maryann Gogniat Eidemiller sharesDeacon Lawrence Sutton’s mission to welcome and catechize children with autism.
Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit celebrated a liturgy on Nov. 7 expressing thanksgiving for 32 deacons celebrating a combined 585 years of service.
November is National Veterans & Military Families Month!
When it comes to a deacon’s commitment to respect and protect human life, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers says: “The atrocities of abortion and euthanasia (of children and the elderly), and the plagues of pornography and human trafficking (both billion-dollar industries) are darkening minds, hardening hearts and damaging families. If we are not faithful to our calling, the sheep will be led astray by wolves.”
Catholic News Service reports that “on the day Pope Francis established as a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine, the pope appealed for an end to all war and prayed that dialogue, the common good and reconciliation would prevail.”
The Priest offers weekly thought-provoking questions to ponder while preparing your homilies.
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Please respond to the feedback question: Where do you find consolation when ministry gets you down? We need your feedback (100 words or less) via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include your name and the city and state where you live. Select responses will be in the May/June issue of The Deacon.
In the Diaconate
The Florida Catholic writes that the Archdiocese of Miami, since the beginning of the pandemic, has had 20 funerals of deacons, mostly due to COVID-19, and the deacons’ ranks are being thinned by the virus.
The Catholic Key reports that Deacon Daniel Brink of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Kansas City, Missouri, was recognized in a select group of dedicated volunteers by the Boy Scout Heart of America Council with The Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor a council may present for exceptional service in scouting.
Pope Francis, in a video released for the Worldwide Prayer Network, said, “Let us pray that people who suffer from depression or burnout will find support and a light that opens them up to life.”
Michael R. Heinlein explores the attributes of holiness and the Church’s canonization process.
In the Diaconate
Leon Suprenant writes in The Leaven that balance and setting priorities enable deacons to more fully devote their time to the things that are most important to them.
ManUp South New Jersey returns to the Diocese of Camden on Nov. 13. Deacon David Harkins of Holy Child Parish, Runnemede, and chief of police in Gloucester Township, will be one of the conference speakers and Deacon Anthony Cioe of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Sewell, will be ManUp’s master of ceremonies.
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When looking at the diminishing numbers of parents bringing children for baptism, if we in the Church were running a business, with a product to sell, now would be the time to ask, “Have we presented the promise of value to be delivered?”
Deacon Dominic CerratoThu, Jun 16 at 9:30 AM
