Diaconate
There are three Ordinations in the Catholic Church. Ordination is an ancient ritual of calling down the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by a Bishop. The first Ordination is to the Diaconate (Deacon); next is Priesthood (Priest); and, finally, to the Episcopacy (Bishop). Other titles, such as Monsignor or Cardinal or even Pope are results of church acknowledgements, but they stem from those three ordinations.
Being ordained a Deacon CAN be a step towards Priesthood. For example, Fr. Kurt and I, and all priests were ordained Deacons approximately a year before we were ordained Priests. Pope Francis was ordained a Deacon, then a Priest, and then a Bishop. He was subsequently named Cardinal and elected Pope.
Being ordained a PERMANENT DEACON is not a step towards priesthood; rather it is a commitment one makes, bound by the act of ordination. Our own Deacon Dennis Brown was married to his wife Marge, then ordained a Deacon some years later, and serves the church in this ordained ministry, and he serves us very well.
The Archdiocese of Chicago has the most Permanent Deacons of any diocese in the United States. It is an indication of the confidence that this local church has in men who have many different types of professional experience to share in enriching the church. Most, not all, are married and have families of their own and still find time to serve the church in an ordained capacity. Those seeking to be ordained Permanent Deacons participate in a rigorous formation program similar to the seminary in preparation for ordination.
The very early church communities were actually managed by Deacons. In the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 6) we read that Deacons were table servers and ministers of the Word. That quickly blossomed into managing local communities of early Christians, even before priesthood was as popular as it is today. Back then Deacons ran the local communities and Bishops traveled to them administering the Sacraments.
Today, Permanent Deacons serve by preaching at Mass, Baptizing, presiding and witnessing weddings that are ceremonies, not Masses. Permanent Deacons do not preside at Mass, but they assist in the liturgy.
Our Own Bob Lanigan in Diaconate
Formation
Our parishioner, Bob Lanigan, is currently in formation to be ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2025. Bob is married to Kristin. He is from Oak Lawn, a southern suburb of Chicago, and attended University of Tennessee at Martin on a basketball scholarship. Bob converted to Catholicism through the Rite for the Christian Initiation for adults (RCIA) at Old St. Mary’s parish in South loop. He currently works for the Big Ten network covering college football and is a Regional Sales Manager in the beverage industry. Bob will be mandated as a Reader this Sunday, March 12 at Mundelein Seminary, meaning he will take another significant step toward ordination. One of our diocesan Bishops will preside at the ceremony. This mandating is similar to the process of training and commissioning Proclaimers here at Holy Family.
All Parish Reconciliation
This Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00pm in Church we will offer an All Parish Reconciliation Service. This is a powerful way to reconcile with God and others in the spirit of the Lenten season. Please plan to attend.
Please be attentive to our 2023 Lenten Social Justice Project which focuses on the Edmundite Missions in Selma, Alabama. For more than three generations, the Society of St. Edmund has promoted and championed the healing presence of Jesus Christ through programs that sustain those who are most vulnerable within the Black Belt of Alabama. The Edmundite Missions have evolved and grown to become an essential component of the social safety net – feeding the hungry, enhancing educational opportunities, ensuring workforce reentry and providing pathways out of poverty that drive long term social and economic change. This Lenten season, join us in supporting the expansion of the Edmundite Missions. Help build the Casey Center for Faith and Community Service – Integrating Faith, Service and Social Justice.
Visit www.holyfamilyparish.org for a complete listing of all parish events.