Liturgy, Word and charity part of deacon ministry |
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Written by FATHER WILLIAM J. KUBACKI, Director of Deacon Formation
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Friday, 05 September 2008 01:00 |
Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part series on the diaconate in the Diocese of Toledo.
In the national directory for the formation, ministry and life of permanent deacons in the United States, it states, ìthe deacon’s ministry of service is linked with the missionary dimension of the church: the missionary efforts of the deacon will embrace the ministry of the Word, the liturgy and works of charity which, in turn, are carried into daily life.î (no. 3)
Pope John Paul II noted, ìthe deacon’s tasks include that of preaching and sustaining the apostolic activities of the laity. To the extent he is more present and more involved than the priest in secular environments and structures, he should feel encouraged to foster closeness between the ordained ministry and lay activities, in common service to the kingdom of God.î
Practically speaking, the deacon carries out the three-fold dimension of the ordained ministry in service to the diocesan bishop in various ways. Most deacons in our diocese have a career in addition to being deacons so they need to attend to their career first so their families have a means of support.
Diaconal ministry, then, is mostly part-time and serves the parish in a number of ways. A deacon assists at Mass, baptizes, officiates at marriages outside of Mass and leads vigil and/or funeral services. He may teach in the RCIA or other educational programs in a parish. He may volunteer to lead a group serving in a soup kitchen or coordinate a social at a local health care facility. Other involvement in the life of a parish and school can be determined by the deacon and his pastor as the needs arise.
Deacons can also serve the church in their careers. Examples of this are being a chaplain at a prison or hospital or working in a diocesan or parish ministry. In addition to these roles, they may also minister in parishes, as time allows.
The diaconal ministries (liturgy, Word, charity) are not to be separated; the deacon is ordained for them all, and no one should be ordained who is not prepared to undertake each in some way. He may have greater ability in one aspect of ministry; and, therefore, his service may be marked by one of them more than by the others.
However, the diaconal ministry possesses a unity — in preaching the Word, he is involved in every kind of missionary outreach. In sanctifying God’s people through the liturgy, he infuses and elevates people with new meaning and with a Christian worldview. In bringing Christ to every level of society he develops a Christian conscience among all people of good will, motivating their service and commitment to the sanctity of human life.
Strengthened by the sacramental grace of holy orders, the deacon is dedicated to the people of God, in conjunction with the bishop and his priests, in a service of the liturgy, the word and of charity.
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In addition to diocesan director of deacon formation, Father William J. Kubacki is vicar for priests.
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Last Updated on Friday, 07 November 2008 09:00 |
