Bishop Walkowiak celebrated Mass with the Institution to Ministry of Lector for deacon candidates in their second year of formation at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 19 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. All were welcome to attend Mass in support of our candidates as they continue their journey. Diocesan COVID-19 directives for public worship were in effect for Mass including wearing of masks and social distancing.
“The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel. He may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm between the readings” (GIRM #99).
The candidates who received the rite of lector are: Gregory Beasley, David Bevins, James Cross, Matthew Dugener, Lawrence Duthler, Fernando Gutierrez, Randy Hodge, Ottoniel Orozco, Michael Schasser, and Wade Yott. We offer our congratulations to them, their wives and families!
The wives of the deacon candidates are an integral part of the diaconate program. They support their husbands through prayer, sacrifice, and by assuming added duties of home and family.
This group of men were admitted to candidacy for the diaconate, the first formal step toward becoming permanent deacons, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. They are the second class of men in formation for the diaconate for the diocese since the deacon formation program was reinstated by Bishop Walkowiak in 2015. Eight men in the formation program’s first class are currently candidates to be ordained in 2022.
Deacons are one of three major orders of the sacrament of holy orders, the others are priests and bishops. Deacons may officiate at baptisms, weddings and funerals, read the Gospel and preach at Mass, and help with the canonical process for marriage and baptism, but one of their greatest priorities is service to the poor and marginalized.
Click here to learn more about the permanent diaconate program in our diocese.
