Two new deacons

Yesterday morning His Excellency the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki ordained two of our semarians, Al Allen and Zach Edgar, to the Sacred Order of Deacons.

Deacon Al Allen, Bishop Paprocki and Deacon Zach Edgar

Congratulations, Deacon Al and Deacon Zach!

They will, God willing, be ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ next year.

Sunday's ordination

Sunday's mass ordination went very well, I am happy to say and lasted two hours and three minues, which must be a record of some kind. The principle Master of Ceremonies and I work well together, though we have to start meeting at times other than large Diocesan functions when we are both fairly stressed.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was full, though not exactly jam-packed. Ordinarily one is disappointed when fewer people than expected turn out, but Sunday we were quite happy. We were expecting some two hundred people standing outside on the steps, but only fifteen or so were without pew space and stood in the back of the Cathedral.

The eighteen candidates for ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons were joined by five permanent deacons (two of whom assisted Bishop Lucas) and some forty-five or more priests. Candidates of the diaconate class of 2009 served the ordination.

The readings and prayers for the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist were used. In his homily, Bishop Lucas reminded the candidates for ordination that the honor they have now received is greater than that of the Baptizer because of the grace of the Sacraments.

The processional hymn was "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," one of my personal favorites.

My hearty congratulations to each of our new deacons! I look forward with great joy to working with them in the years ahead.

Configured to Christ the Servant of All

On the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (24 June 2007), His Excellency, the Most Reverend George J. Lucas will ordain eighteen (18) men to the Order of Deacons for service to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

This will be the first "class" of "permanent" deacons the Diocese has ordained and I am greatly looking forward to their ministry. I am happy to say that Deacon Joe Emmerich, from the parish at which I am assigned, has been assigned to assist the Pastor of the same parish.

The ordination Liturgy - which promises to be standing room only - will begin at 2:00 in the afternoon in Springfield in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Yours truly will be serving as the Assistant Master of Ceremonies and at this moment I am thinking: logistical nightmare. Nonetheless, it will be a joyous and glorious day!

The Catholic Times has coverage of the upcoming ordination in several places:

• Bishop Lucas' Weekly column - Offers a summary of the diaconate
• "Eighteen to be ordained as deacons for diocese" - Offers a brief biographical sketch of each of the ordinandi
• Catholic Times Opinion - Offers a nice little hodge-podge

Please join me in thanking God for the gift of these deacons, asking that their ministry will bear much fruit!