Priests & Deacons

"I will give you shepherds after my own heart" (Jeremiah 3:15). In these words from the prophet Jeremiah, God promises his people that he will never leave them without shepherds to gather them together and guide them: "I will set shepherds over them [my sheep] who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed" (Jeremiah 23:4). 

The Church, the People of God, constantly experiences the reality of this prophetic message and continues joyfully to thank God for it. She knows that Jesus Christ himself is the living, supreme and definitive fulfilment of God's promise: "I am the good shepherd" (Jn 10:11). He, "the great shepherd of the sheep" (Heb 13:20), entrusted to the Apostles and their successors the ministry of shepherding God's flock (cf. Jn 21:15ff.; 1 Pt 5:2).

Without priests the Church would not be able to live that fundamental obedience which is at the very heart of her existence and her mission in history, an obedience in response to the command of Christ: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19) and "Do this in remembrance of me" (Lk 22:19; cf. 1 Cor 11:24), i.e., an obedience to the command to announce the Gospel and to renew daily the sacrifice of the giving of his body and the shedding of his blood for the life of the world. 

(St. Pope John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis: I Will Give You Shepherds)

Are You Being Called to Become a Priest?

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A deacon is a man ordained by the bishop for service in liturgy, Word and charity. He assists the bishop and his priests.

The deacon is an ordinary minister of Baptism and Holy Communion. He proclaims the Gospel at Mass, occasionally preaches, and he may officiate at weddings. He can preside at Communion services, funeral services and wakes, celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Deacons frequently minister in preparing couples for marriage and for the Baptism of their children, in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and religious education programs.

The diaconate is a ministry of service and deacons can be found visiting the sick and homebound, visiting prisoners, helping and advocating for the poor, teaching and performing a wide variety of similar ministries.

The vast majority of deacons are married and work in regular jobs in the marketplace. Some are engaged in full-time ministry in parishes or the diocese.
 

Are You Being Called to Become a Permanent Deacon?
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