Deacons gather to reaffirm commitment to ministry
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
Proclaiming Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection is the cornerstone of our baptismal call, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski stressed in a Mass celebrated for Recommitment of the Diaconate in St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, Nov. 6.
A dinner followed the annual Mass. About 200 people attended the event, including deacons and their wives, deacon candidates and their wives, and priests.
“It was a reaffirmation of our commitment to being a deacon, our commitment to serve and our commitment to the bishop,” said Deacon David A. DeFrange, director of the diocesan Office of the Diaconate.
The event is also a good way to socialize and build esprit de corps, he said.
In his homily, Bishop Bootkoski said many people try to avoid aging by making cosmetic changes, but growing old is something that should be lived.
“Jesus very pointedly speaks about death and the after-life. Death is not something to be afraid of because all of us in this ministry work to bring about the kingdom of God. That’s our role,” the bishop said.
“We must, as Christians, as collaborators in ministry, proclaim the death of the Lord and out of his death, proclaim the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”
Deacons are ordained ministers who share the Sacrament of Holy Orders with priest and bishops. They can be married or single.
The deacon can solemnly administer Baptism, witness marriages and preside at wakes and funerals. He assists the priest at the Eucharistic liturgy and distributes Communion.
Deacons who have secular careers also bear witness to the Gospel in the marketplace and bring the sacramental presence of the Church wherever they go.
“Being a deacon is a wonderful experience,” Deacon DeFrange said. “It provides the opportunity to serve people, to try to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. It makes you a more compassionate person.”
Tony Hancock, a candidate in the diaconate formation Class of 2007, attended with his wife, Judy. The Hancocks are members of Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville. Tony said his two years of training have helped him in his job.
“I led a drug development team at work and in the last year, I’ve really been able to focus on the value of each one of those team players,” Hancock said. “Instead of thinking, ‘Are they doing the job? Are they delivering what we need?’ I’m thinking, ‘What is it that’s bothering them? What causes them perhaps to not quite achieve what they should be achieving?”
A wife’s consent is required for her husband to enter the program and to be ordained. She is expected to have a complete and thorough understanding of the extent of her spouse’s commitment and of her role and sacrifices in supporting his ministry as an ordained deacon. She should be ready to accompany and encourage her husband in his ministry during formation and after ordination.
Mrs. Hancock said attending the formation classes with her husband has enhanced her spirituality as well.
“It’s been constant food for thought and the growth process is incredible,” she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for both partners.”
“A deacon candidate’s life is not easy,” said Andrew Ozga, 35, also in the formation Class of 2007, “but because it’s not easy it’s wonderful because it prepares you for things for the future.”
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law