Saint Paul Parish is fortunate to have five permanent Deacons: Bill Lambert, Ed Laubacher, Ron Reolfi and Dennis Ross. The word “deacon” is derived from the Greek words diakonia, service, and diakonos, variously translated as servant, helper, attendant, or minister. A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There are three presbyters and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served. What is the role of the Deacon?
- A deacon assists the priest at Mass when he offers the invocations of the Penitential Rite, proclaims the Gospel, preaches the homily occasionally, reads the petitions of the General Intercessions, receives the gifts, prepares the altar, assists with incensing, gives instructions regarding posture and movement, distributes Holy Communion, and dismisses the Assembly.
- A deacon assists the priest outside of Mass when he administers the Sacrament of Baptism; brings Viaticum to the dying; presides for prayer services; officiates at wakes, funerals, and burial services; and witnesses marriages. Deacons are able to bless religious articles.
- As ministers of service, there are many options for deacons to perform charitable good works: outreach to the poor; the visitation of the sick, either at home, in nursing homes, or in hospitals; the care of inmates in prisons and jails; the teaching of sacramental preparation and religious education classes; and various administrative duties; just to a name some of the major roles.
- A permanent deacon must be at least thirty-five years of age, have completed his Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), been installed as a Lector and an Acolyte, and completed a thorough formation program. If a candidate for the diaconate is married, he must receive the consent of his wife before he is eligible for ordination. Once ordained, if the deacon’s wife should die, the deacon is not eligible for remarriage.
MEET OUR SAINT PAUL DEACONS:
Bill Lambert
