Wednesday, April 28, 2010

DAYTON DEANERY — Cincinnati Arch­bishop Dennis M. Schnurr ordained 36 men to the diaconate on April 24 at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Dayton.

Three seminarians, Daniel K. Hess of Holy Trinity in Coldwater; Adam Puntel of Incarnation Parish in Centerville and Charles S. Wright of St. Peter in Huber Heights were ordained transitional deacons and will continue on to priestly ordination in 2011.

From left, Deacons John Paul Back, Michael Cassani, Jeff Ehrnschwender and Michael Erb during the April 24 ordination Mass. (CT/E.L. Hubbard)

Thirty-three men were ordained to the permanent diaconate, having completed the required seminary education and formation. Profiles of these new permanent deacons may be found beginning on page 15 of this issue.

“The generosity of these candidates in responding faithfully to the will of God is a reflection of the generosity that was experienced, learned and fostered in the domestic church, that is, the home and family,” Archbishop Schnurr said in his homily. “The church of Cincinnati owes a debt of gratitude to all of you, candidates and family members.”

The archbishop spoke of the “close and sacramental partnership” deacons have not only with priests and other deacons in the archdiocese, but with those throughout the world.
 
“As a deacon in the church, your basic role is to communicate Christ by word and example,” he reminded the men, adding that their example of faith “must be deeply rooted in prayer and charity and must express a life of justice, honesty and truth. You will always be expected to speak and act in communion with Benedict, our pope, and with his successor, with the clergy of this diocese, and in the communion of faith of the universal church.”

The order of deacon has been part of the life of the Catholic Church since its earliest days. In Acts of the Apostles it clearly states that the apostles appointed deacons to assist them in their ministry.

Deacons assist priests in liturgical, administrative, and pastoral roles. Among their many duties, deacons may validly perform baptisms, witness marriages, celebrate funerals and assist the priest or bishop in the celebration of the Eucharist.

See related stories: Meet the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s new permanent deacons (part 1), Meet the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s new permanent deacons (part 2), Meet the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s new permanent deacons (part 3)