I'm not used to lots of quiet. And the circumstances of my quiet tonight are of some concern. Yet here I am tonight, alone, quiet and spending my evening preparing for a big weekend serving the Church as a minister. Tonight I spent some time preparing a homily, reading some prayers and dealing with quiet.
Life always keeps coming at you. Tonight my daugter continues her studies and travels in Europe while my wife ventures to Texas to check up on her mom who is sick. I would be most appreciative of prayers for my mother-in-law who is recovering from a week long illness. So tonight its just me and my dogs and the homiletic books and my prayer book. And I will read some Scripture tonight; as always IN context!
In the days ahead I am tasked with the opportunity to preach 3 masses, including two at a neighboring parish where I have been helping out one weekend a month. I also hope to visit an altar server picnic and spend some time with good friends who always come to my rescue when I get overwhelmed with stuff. Next week will bring some new opportunities for ministry and I am looking forward to another discernment gathering for the 50 + couples exploring the possibility of a vocation to the diaconate.
So for the rest of this evening I'll embrace the quiet, say some prayers; much needed prayers and move into the weekend before us.
I trust you too can enjoy some quiet and give all to Him who strengthens us!
The scripture verse I came across tonight that is great peace:
"count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. Realize that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection so that you may be fully mature and lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
Friday, July 16, 2010
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Sacred Scripture celebrated the beauty of Carmel where the prophet Elijah defended the purity of Israel's faith in the living God. In the 12th century, hermits withdrew to that mountain and later founded the Order devoted to the contemplative life under the patronage of Mary, the holy Mother of God.
She is the patroness of the Carmelites and the devotion of the brown scapular.
This date has been reserved as a feast day in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel since the 15th century.
Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been described as a special call to the interior life. And we can use Mary's example as our own in turning to God from an interior life.
May we always remember that every devotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including that of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, is aimed at reaching Christ her Son.
She is the patroness of the Carmelites and the devotion of the brown scapular.
This date has been reserved as a feast day in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel since the 15th century.
Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been described as a special call to the interior life. And we can use Mary's example as our own in turning to God from an interior life.
May we always remember that every devotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including that of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, is aimed at reaching Christ her Son.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Vatican position on ordination of women explained
Today the Vatican released important information about clergy sex abuse and decided at the same time to address other grave delicts most notably the ordination and attempted ordination of women. This is indeed a grave matter before the Church and Archbishop Wuerl does a masterful job in the article below:
US Bishops Welcome Vatican Statement on Gravity of Attempted Women's 'Ordination'
7/16/2010
Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)
Archbishop Wuerl noted that all Catholics are called to Christian service
The seven sacraments are an integral and identifying part of the Catholic Church and the faith life of each Catholic. To feign any sacrament would be egregious. The Catholic Church through its long and constant teaching holds that ordination has been, from the beginning, reserved to men, a fact which cannot be changed despite changing times.
Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine, said the clarification was "a welcome statement."
WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Archbishop Donald Wuerl of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine welcomed the Vatican's recent clarification on the canonical penalties for the attempted ordination of women, saying the action shows "the seriousness with which it holds offenses against the Sacrament of Holy Orders."
In a July 15 statement the Vatican said that the attempted ordination of women was a "grave delict," a Church crime that is always referred to the Holy See for adjudication.
Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine, said the clarification was "a welcome statement."
"The seven sacraments are an integral and identifying part of the Catholic Church and the faith life of each Catholic," he commented. "To feign any sacrament would be egregious. The Catholic Church through its long and constant teaching holds that ordination has been, from the beginning, reserved to men, a fact which cannot be changed despite changing times."
Archbishop Wuerl noted that all Catholics are called to "Christian service."
Women have responded to this call with "extraordinary generosity" and have had an "essential role" in the life of the Church. They now serve in "Church leadership positions at all levels," he commented, reporting that they hold nearly half of diocesan administrative and professional positions, about 25 percent of the top diocesan positions, and make up about 80 percent of lay parish ministers.
"The Church's gratitude to women cannot be stated strongly enough. Women offer unique insight, creative abilities and unstinting generosity at the very heart of the Catholic Church," Archbishop Wuerl continued.
Pope John Paul II, in his 1994 apostolic letter "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis," reaffirmed that the Catholic Church has no authority to ordain women. The issue was also addressed by the U.S. bishops in their 1998 pastoral response.
US Bishops Welcome Vatican Statement on Gravity of Attempted Women's 'Ordination'
7/16/2010
Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)
Archbishop Wuerl noted that all Catholics are called to Christian service
The seven sacraments are an integral and identifying part of the Catholic Church and the faith life of each Catholic. To feign any sacrament would be egregious. The Catholic Church through its long and constant teaching holds that ordination has been, from the beginning, reserved to men, a fact which cannot be changed despite changing times.
Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine, said the clarification was "a welcome statement."
WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Archbishop Donald Wuerl of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine welcomed the Vatican's recent clarification on the canonical penalties for the attempted ordination of women, saying the action shows "the seriousness with which it holds offenses against the Sacrament of Holy Orders."
In a July 15 statement the Vatican said that the attempted ordination of women was a "grave delict," a Church crime that is always referred to the Holy See for adjudication.
Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl, Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine, said the clarification was "a welcome statement."
"The seven sacraments are an integral and identifying part of the Catholic Church and the faith life of each Catholic," he commented. "To feign any sacrament would be egregious. The Catholic Church through its long and constant teaching holds that ordination has been, from the beginning, reserved to men, a fact which cannot be changed despite changing times."
Archbishop Wuerl noted that all Catholics are called to "Christian service."
Women have responded to this call with "extraordinary generosity" and have had an "essential role" in the life of the Church. They now serve in "Church leadership positions at all levels," he commented, reporting that they hold nearly half of diocesan administrative and professional positions, about 25 percent of the top diocesan positions, and make up about 80 percent of lay parish ministers.
"The Church's gratitude to women cannot be stated strongly enough. Women offer unique insight, creative abilities and unstinting generosity at the very heart of the Catholic Church," Archbishop Wuerl continued.
Pope John Paul II, in his 1994 apostolic letter "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis," reaffirmed that the Catholic Church has no authority to ordain women. The issue was also addressed by the U.S. bishops in their 1998 pastoral response.
The Oil is NOT flowing TONIGHT
Perhaps you have heard the news now that the BP Oil well is currently not gushing oil into the already heavily damaged Gulf of Mexico. Those valiant people who have been fighting the good fight can at least go to bed tonight thinking that today was a day they got ahead of the disaster. At least for TODAY!
This is not the permanent fix and more information will be coming forward in the next 24-48 hours. But at least for now the oil is NOT flowing.
Continue to pray and support efforts like Second Harvest and Catholic Charities. Recently many of my brother Deacons and their wives joined a pastoral care team that is ministering on the ground in the most highly affected areas.
Read more from our local paper on the latest:
BP oil well is no longer leaking into the Gulf of Mexico
Published: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:52 PM Updated: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 5:17 PM
Jaquetta White, The Times-Picayune
There was no oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico this afternoon after BP crews managed to shut in the leaking Macondo well.
BPThe feed from Deepwater Horizon well shows no oil coming out.
The company is now conducting a "well integrity test" to determine if the well can remain closed until it can be permanently shut with cement next month.
The test will last anywhere from 6 to 48 hours, during which time scientists will measure pressure inside the well. If pressure rises and holds at 8,000 to 9,000 pounds per square inch, the well could remain closed. If it is lower than that level, however, if will be reopened and oil will be sucked, again, to vessels on the surface.
Low pressures would indicate that oil is escaping through one or more fissures in the well.
BP Vice President Kent Wells said he was "encouraged" by the development, but also trying to remain reserved until the test is complete.
"I'm very pleased that there's no oil going in the Gulf of Mexico, in fact I'm excited that there's no oil going in the Gulf of Mexico," Wells said. "Where I'm holding back my emotion is we're just starting the test. I don't want to create a false sense of excitement."
Scientists estimate that the well produces 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil per day.
BP had originally planned to begin the test Tuesday, but Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen announced late that day that it had been delayed by 24 hours in response to concerns about the procedure from a team of scientists, including Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The scientific team will be involved in reading and interpreting the pressure data as it becomes available.
The scientific team's initial worries were put to rest Wednesday and BP crews were given the green light to proceed with the well shut-in and integrity test.
But the test was delayed again Wednesday evening after engineers discovered a leak in the "choke line" of a new blowout preventer placed on top of the well. The choke line was to be the last of five points closed before the test began.
The leaking system was removed overnight Wednesday and replaced this morning with a back-up choke line that was already on site, the company's vice president Kent Wells said.
Oil has been leaking into the gulf since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank, 50 miles off the Louisiana coast April 20. Eleven people were killed in the accident. BP operated the rig, which it leased from Transocean.
This is not the permanent fix and more information will be coming forward in the next 24-48 hours. But at least for now the oil is NOT flowing.
Continue to pray and support efforts like Second Harvest and Catholic Charities. Recently many of my brother Deacons and their wives joined a pastoral care team that is ministering on the ground in the most highly affected areas.
Read more from our local paper on the latest:
BP oil well is no longer leaking into the Gulf of Mexico
Published: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:52 PM Updated: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 5:17 PM
Jaquetta White, The Times-Picayune
There was no oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico this afternoon after BP crews managed to shut in the leaking Macondo well.
BPThe feed from Deepwater Horizon well shows no oil coming out.
The company is now conducting a "well integrity test" to determine if the well can remain closed until it can be permanently shut with cement next month.
The test will last anywhere from 6 to 48 hours, during which time scientists will measure pressure inside the well. If pressure rises and holds at 8,000 to 9,000 pounds per square inch, the well could remain closed. If it is lower than that level, however, if will be reopened and oil will be sucked, again, to vessels on the surface.
Low pressures would indicate that oil is escaping through one or more fissures in the well.
BP Vice President Kent Wells said he was "encouraged" by the development, but also trying to remain reserved until the test is complete.
"I'm very pleased that there's no oil going in the Gulf of Mexico, in fact I'm excited that there's no oil going in the Gulf of Mexico," Wells said. "Where I'm holding back my emotion is we're just starting the test. I don't want to create a false sense of excitement."
Scientists estimate that the well produces 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil per day.
BP had originally planned to begin the test Tuesday, but Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen announced late that day that it had been delayed by 24 hours in response to concerns about the procedure from a team of scientists, including Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The scientific team will be involved in reading and interpreting the pressure data as it becomes available.
The scientific team's initial worries were put to rest Wednesday and BP crews were given the green light to proceed with the well shut-in and integrity test.
But the test was delayed again Wednesday evening after engineers discovered a leak in the "choke line" of a new blowout preventer placed on top of the well. The choke line was to be the last of five points closed before the test began.
The leaking system was removed overnight Wednesday and replaced this morning with a back-up choke line that was already on site, the company's vice president Kent Wells said.
Oil has been leaking into the gulf since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank, 50 miles off the Louisiana coast April 20. Eleven people were killed in the accident. BP operated the rig, which it leased from Transocean.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
This is a post from last year on the Church's celebration today of Blessed Kateri Takakwitha. When I traveled throughout the norteast, particularly northern New England we often saw evidence of a devotion to this amazing witness of Christ:
Who is Kateri Tekakwitha?
Actually, she is known as Blessed Kateri. Hers is a most amazing story. She was born in New York in 1656, the daughter of a Christian mother of the Algonquin tribe and a non-Christian father who was a Mohawk chief. When she was just 14 both of her parents died due to smallpox and the disease left Kateri with severe facial scars. She was sent to live with an uncle.
In 1675 she befriended Jesuit missionaries and was baptized as a Catholic on Easter Sunday in 1676. She chose the name Kateri for Katherine. She lived an exemplary life as a Christian and devoted herself to a life of virginity. She became the object of scorn and persecution as the young men sought to prevent her from living a chaste life. In her desire to remain pure and devoted to Christ she fled her home and lived in a Christian village on the St. Lawrence River. In 1677 she received her first Holy Communion and continued instruction in the faith. In 1680, at the young age of 24, she died of natural causes.
Special devotion to the "Lily of the Mohawks" spread throughout the United States and Canada. On June 22, 1980 she was beatified by Pope John Paul II. She needs one more verified miracle to be elevated to sainthood.
Her strong witness to the love of Jesus and to His Catholic Church was remarkable especially given her situation. Not all of her family, friends and members of her tribe took kindly to the missionaries. Yet she persevered in her faith and today is a great example to all of us.
May her intercession give all peoples of every tribe, tongue and nation the courage to gather under God's holy church and proclaim His greatnesws in one song of praise
Who is Kateri Tekakwitha?
Actually, she is known as Blessed Kateri. Hers is a most amazing story. She was born in New York in 1656, the daughter of a Christian mother of the Algonquin tribe and a non-Christian father who was a Mohawk chief. When she was just 14 both of her parents died due to smallpox and the disease left Kateri with severe facial scars. She was sent to live with an uncle.
In 1675 she befriended Jesuit missionaries and was baptized as a Catholic on Easter Sunday in 1676. She chose the name Kateri for Katherine. She lived an exemplary life as a Christian and devoted herself to a life of virginity. She became the object of scorn and persecution as the young men sought to prevent her from living a chaste life. In her desire to remain pure and devoted to Christ she fled her home and lived in a Christian village on the St. Lawrence River. In 1677 she received her first Holy Communion and continued instruction in the faith. In 1680, at the young age of 24, she died of natural causes.
Special devotion to the "Lily of the Mohawks" spread throughout the United States and Canada. On June 22, 1980 she was beatified by Pope John Paul II. She needs one more verified miracle to be elevated to sainthood.
Her strong witness to the love of Jesus and to His Catholic Church was remarkable especially given her situation. Not all of her family, friends and members of her tribe took kindly to the missionaries. Yet she persevered in her faith and today is a great example to all of us.
May her intercession give all peoples of every tribe, tongue and nation the courage to gather under God's holy church and proclaim His greatnesws in one song of praise
Monday, July 12, 2010
Immigration; cause for debate among Catholics
Recently we had a little difference of opinion about immigration and our response as Catholics. As usual, good intentioned prayerful people came down on one side primarily based on politics. So here are some official Catholic teachings:
From the catechism: More prosperous nations are obliged to welcome the foreigner in search of security and means of a livlihood they cannot find in their home country. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them and to obey it's laws. # 2241
From the document "Strangers no longer; Together on the Journey of Hope" :
First, all persons have the right to find in their homeland the economic, political and social opportunities to live in dignity and achieve a full life by using their God-given gifts. In this context, sustaining life and family is a basic human need.
Second, when persons cannot find employment in their homeland to support themselves and their families, they have a right to seek work elsewhere. This right is not absolute; it must be based on reasons that are just. In today’s world, with poverty so widespread and overwhelming, migrating because of economic necessity in order to provide even the most basic of needs is presumed to be a just reason.
Third, sovereign nations have the right to protect and control their borders for the sake of the common good of their citizens. But this right is also not absolute. Nations also have an obligation to the universal common good, which extends beyond individual borders. The more powerful economic nations, such as the United States, have a greater level of this obligation, as they manage substantial resources for human needs and strive for greater accommodation of migration flows.
Fourth, those who flee wars and persecution, that is, refugees and asylum seekers, should be afforded protection by other, designated nations, including the United States.
Fifth, regardless of their legal status, whether authorized or unauthorized, documented or undocumented, immigrants, as well as refugees and all other persons, possess inherent human dignity, which is to be respected as a matter of common decency and Christian discipleship.
At the foundation of official immigration teaching by the Church are the ten fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching:
1. Dignity of the human person
2. Common Good & community
3. Option for the poor
4. Rights & resposibilities
5. Role of Government & Subsidiarity
6. Economic Justice
7. Stewardship of God's Creation
8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
9. Participation
10. Global Solidarity and Development
Hopefully this can be a great start and prayerfully maybe we, as Catholics, and people of good will, will learn to turn down the rhetoric and speak and act as Christ asks His Church to do!
From the catechism: More prosperous nations are obliged to welcome the foreigner in search of security and means of a livlihood they cannot find in their home country. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them and to obey it's laws. # 2241
From the document "Strangers no longer; Together on the Journey of Hope" :
First, all persons have the right to find in their homeland the economic, political and social opportunities to live in dignity and achieve a full life by using their God-given gifts. In this context, sustaining life and family is a basic human need.
Second, when persons cannot find employment in their homeland to support themselves and their families, they have a right to seek work elsewhere. This right is not absolute; it must be based on reasons that are just. In today’s world, with poverty so widespread and overwhelming, migrating because of economic necessity in order to provide even the most basic of needs is presumed to be a just reason.
Third, sovereign nations have the right to protect and control their borders for the sake of the common good of their citizens. But this right is also not absolute. Nations also have an obligation to the universal common good, which extends beyond individual borders. The more powerful economic nations, such as the United States, have a greater level of this obligation, as they manage substantial resources for human needs and strive for greater accommodation of migration flows.
Fourth, those who flee wars and persecution, that is, refugees and asylum seekers, should be afforded protection by other, designated nations, including the United States.
Fifth, regardless of their legal status, whether authorized or unauthorized, documented or undocumented, immigrants, as well as refugees and all other persons, possess inherent human dignity, which is to be respected as a matter of common decency and Christian discipleship.
At the foundation of official immigration teaching by the Church are the ten fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching:
1. Dignity of the human person
2. Common Good & community
3. Option for the poor
4. Rights & resposibilities
5. Role of Government & Subsidiarity
6. Economic Justice
7. Stewardship of God's Creation
8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
9. Participation
10. Global Solidarity and Development
Hopefully this can be a great start and prayerfully maybe we, as Catholics, and people of good will, will learn to turn down the rhetoric and speak and act as Christ asks His Church to do!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
More good news on Christian unity
I have been moved in recent months by the conversion of so many Anglicans to the one Church founded by Jesus and thanks to the path provided by Pope Benedict XVI. In fact an Anglican group, who had previously broken away from the wider Anglican heirarchy, moved to Catholicism en masse; about 100 Anglican parishes. And this happened in Australia too.
We also know that the Holy Father has been in dialogue with the Orthodox and those sincere SSPXers who understand the need to seek Christian unity under the one and only Church set up by Jesus while he ministered on earth.
And now, perhaps, we see another glorious possibility: Lutherans. Deacon Keith over at Catholic.org as a great article. It is a story that should engender great hope. Read with prayerful consideration:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=37315
We also know that the Holy Father has been in dialogue with the Orthodox and those sincere SSPXers who understand the need to seek Christian unity under the one and only Church set up by Jesus while he ministered on earth.
And now, perhaps, we see another glorious possibility: Lutherans. Deacon Keith over at Catholic.org as a great article. It is a story that should engender great hope. Read with prayerful consideration:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=37315
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The feast of St. Benedict
St. Bendict of Nursia
Feastday: July 11
St. Benedict, the Father of Western monasticism and brother of Scholastica, is considered the patron of speliologists (cave explorers). He was born in Nursia, Italy and educated in Rome. He was repelled by the vices of the city and in about the year 500, fled to Enfide, thirty miles away. He decided to live the life of a hermit and settled at the mountainous Subiaco, where he lived in a cave for three years, fed by a monk named Romanus. Despite Benedict's desire for solitude, his holiness and austerities became known and he was asked to be their abbot by a community of monks at Vicovaro. He accepted, but when the monks resisted his strict rule and tried to poison him, he returned to Subiaco and became a center of spirituality and learning. He left suddenly, reportedly because of the efforts of a neighboring priest, Florentius, to undermine his work, and in about 525, settled at Monte Cassino. He destroyed a pagan temple to Apollo on its crest, brought the people of the neighboring area back to Christianity, and in about 530 began to build the monastery that was to be the birthplace of Western monasticism. Soon disciples again flocked to him as his reputation for holiness, wisdom, and miracles spread far and wide. He organized the monks into a single monastic community and wrote his famous Rule prescribing common sense, a life of moderate asceticism, prayer, study, and work, and community life under one superior. It stressed obedience, stability, zeal, and had the Divine Office as the center of monastic life; it was to affect spiritual and monastic life in the West for centuries to come. While ruling his monks (most of whom, including Benedict, were not ordained), he counseled rulers and Popes, ministered to the poor and destitute about him, and tried to repair the ravages of the Lombard Totila's invasion. He died at Monte Cassino on March 21 and was named patron protector of Europe by Pope Paul VI in 1964. His feast day is July 11.
Feastday: July 11
St. Benedict, the Father of Western monasticism and brother of Scholastica, is considered the patron of speliologists (cave explorers). He was born in Nursia, Italy and educated in Rome. He was repelled by the vices of the city and in about the year 500, fled to Enfide, thirty miles away. He decided to live the life of a hermit and settled at the mountainous Subiaco, where he lived in a cave for three years, fed by a monk named Romanus. Despite Benedict's desire for solitude, his holiness and austerities became known and he was asked to be their abbot by a community of monks at Vicovaro. He accepted, but when the monks resisted his strict rule and tried to poison him, he returned to Subiaco and became a center of spirituality and learning. He left suddenly, reportedly because of the efforts of a neighboring priest, Florentius, to undermine his work, and in about 525, settled at Monte Cassino. He destroyed a pagan temple to Apollo on its crest, brought the people of the neighboring area back to Christianity, and in about 530 began to build the monastery that was to be the birthplace of Western monasticism. Soon disciples again flocked to him as his reputation for holiness, wisdom, and miracles spread far and wide. He organized the monks into a single monastic community and wrote his famous Rule prescribing common sense, a life of moderate asceticism, prayer, study, and work, and community life under one superior. It stressed obedience, stability, zeal, and had the Divine Office as the center of monastic life; it was to affect spiritual and monastic life in the West for centuries to come. While ruling his monks (most of whom, including Benedict, were not ordained), he counseled rulers and Popes, ministered to the poor and destitute about him, and tried to repair the ravages of the Lombard Totila's invasion. He died at Monte Cassino on March 21 and was named patron protector of Europe by Pope Paul VI in 1964. His feast day is July 11.
Some historical background on the Permanent Diaconate
The following comes from a brochure produced by the Archdiocese of New Orleans about the Permanent Diaconate. It is a timely reminder as we meet tomorrow with about 60 couples discerning the call to a possible vocation to the Diaconate:
When Pope John XXIII announced his intentions to an assembly of Cardinals he was astounded by the silence his proposal received to call a Church Council. The silence of his own reflection and prayer, coupled with his experience and understanding of the Church in a modern world produced the bud from which great fruit for the Church would spring.
On September 29, 1964 the Bishops of the Second Vatican Council gave their approval to the restoration of the Diaconate as a permanent order in ordained ministry of the Church. This action as well as others during the Council, prompted by the gift of the Holy Spirit inspired the Church to return to an apostolic ecclesiology that honors the gift of all vocations in the Church.
As an order, the Diaconate flourished during the second and third centuries. Diaconal function varied in the ecclesial communities in different places but always flowed from the ministries of the word, liturgy and charity. Historically and theologically Deacons have a filial relationship with the Bishop. Through this relationship they have been charged with tasks ranging from various forms of administration to ministering to the poor.
In the third and fourth centuries the role of the Deacon began to experience a crisis. The reasons for this crisis are many and complex. By the emergence of the fifth century the deacon in the western church begins to appear as a primarily liturgical ministry. By the middle ages the Diaconate became little more than a step along the way toward ordination to the priesthood. With these changes the Apostolic understanding of "orders" - Bishop, Priest and Deacon as distinct and seperate from each other fell into obscurity. So it remained until the sixteenth century.
The Council of Trent (1545-63) reaffirmed the place of the Diaconate in the Church, though it's call for a restoration of the Diaconate was never implemented. The Second Vatican Council sought to restore the Diaconate as a permanent and distinct ministry in the Church; thus calling for a reintroduction of the ministry in those churches where it had fallen into disuse.
Pope Paul VI, acting on the call of the Council issued the apostolic letter "Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem" on June 18, 1967. This letter followed by other documents established the norms and rationale for the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate. In 1972, having studied Permanent Diaconate formation programs in other parts of the United States, Archbishop Philip M. Hannan decided to implement a program of formation in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
In May of 1974, the first pioneer group pf Permanent Deacons were ordained thus launching the Archdiocese headlong into the development of an outstanding program for the formation, life and ministry of Permanent Deacons.
Archbishop Francis B. Schulte and Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, followed now by Archbishop Gregory C. Aymond continue to strengthen and to expand the role of the Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It is under the leadership of these four Archbishops that the formation program of the Archdiocese has come to be recognized as one of the finest in the United States and as a leader in the Southeast Region.
Following the ordination of the first group of men many others have been ordained in service for the Church. Future ministry needs are continuously being addressed with selection of new formation groups of Aspirants and Candidates. Deacons serve in many parishes throughout the Archdiocese. Additionally, in keeping with the vocation received Deacons serve in a wide variety of Diocesan ministries. They serve in prison systems that include jails and corrections facilities. Service in these prison minstries affords the Community of Deacons the opportunity to serve male and female as well as adult and juvenile inmates. They care for the spiritual needs of the sick in hospitals. Archdiocesan ministries where deacons serve include: high schools, universities, homeless shelters, such as the Ozanam Inn, the Stella Maris Maritime Center, the FBI, local sheriff's offices and police departments, various hospice programs and nursing homes, the Catholic Committee on scouting, and local food banks. Deacons serve as Archdiocesan Masters of Ceremonies and help staff several Archdiocesan offices including the Family Life Apostolate, the Metropolitan Tribunal and the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. Permanent Deacons also old the position of the Director of St. Vincent de Paul Society, Director of Ozanam Inn, Director of the Abbey Christian Life Center, Director of Stewardship, Executive Director of Pastoral Services and Vice Chancellor.
Since those early and humble beginnings the Permanent Diaconate has flourished and forges forward into the future with increasing scope while producing much fruit for the people of God.
When Pope John XXIII announced his intentions to an assembly of Cardinals he was astounded by the silence his proposal received to call a Church Council. The silence of his own reflection and prayer, coupled with his experience and understanding of the Church in a modern world produced the bud from which great fruit for the Church would spring.
On September 29, 1964 the Bishops of the Second Vatican Council gave their approval to the restoration of the Diaconate as a permanent order in ordained ministry of the Church. This action as well as others during the Council, prompted by the gift of the Holy Spirit inspired the Church to return to an apostolic ecclesiology that honors the gift of all vocations in the Church.
As an order, the Diaconate flourished during the second and third centuries. Diaconal function varied in the ecclesial communities in different places but always flowed from the ministries of the word, liturgy and charity. Historically and theologically Deacons have a filial relationship with the Bishop. Through this relationship they have been charged with tasks ranging from various forms of administration to ministering to the poor.
In the third and fourth centuries the role of the Deacon began to experience a crisis. The reasons for this crisis are many and complex. By the emergence of the fifth century the deacon in the western church begins to appear as a primarily liturgical ministry. By the middle ages the Diaconate became little more than a step along the way toward ordination to the priesthood. With these changes the Apostolic understanding of "orders" - Bishop, Priest and Deacon as distinct and seperate from each other fell into obscurity. So it remained until the sixteenth century.
The Council of Trent (1545-63) reaffirmed the place of the Diaconate in the Church, though it's call for a restoration of the Diaconate was never implemented. The Second Vatican Council sought to restore the Diaconate as a permanent and distinct ministry in the Church; thus calling for a reintroduction of the ministry in those churches where it had fallen into disuse.
Pope Paul VI, acting on the call of the Council issued the apostolic letter "Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem" on June 18, 1967. This letter followed by other documents established the norms and rationale for the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate. In 1972, having studied Permanent Diaconate formation programs in other parts of the United States, Archbishop Philip M. Hannan decided to implement a program of formation in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
In May of 1974, the first pioneer group pf Permanent Deacons were ordained thus launching the Archdiocese headlong into the development of an outstanding program for the formation, life and ministry of Permanent Deacons.
Archbishop Francis B. Schulte and Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, followed now by Archbishop Gregory C. Aymond continue to strengthen and to expand the role of the Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It is under the leadership of these four Archbishops that the formation program of the Archdiocese has come to be recognized as one of the finest in the United States and as a leader in the Southeast Region.
Following the ordination of the first group of men many others have been ordained in service for the Church. Future ministry needs are continuously being addressed with selection of new formation groups of Aspirants and Candidates. Deacons serve in many parishes throughout the Archdiocese. Additionally, in keeping with the vocation received Deacons serve in a wide variety of Diocesan ministries. They serve in prison systems that include jails and corrections facilities. Service in these prison minstries affords the Community of Deacons the opportunity to serve male and female as well as adult and juvenile inmates. They care for the spiritual needs of the sick in hospitals. Archdiocesan ministries where deacons serve include: high schools, universities, homeless shelters, such as the Ozanam Inn, the Stella Maris Maritime Center, the FBI, local sheriff's offices and police departments, various hospice programs and nursing homes, the Catholic Committee on scouting, and local food banks. Deacons serve as Archdiocesan Masters of Ceremonies and help staff several Archdiocesan offices including the Family Life Apostolate, the Metropolitan Tribunal and the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. Permanent Deacons also old the position of the Director of St. Vincent de Paul Society, Director of Ozanam Inn, Director of the Abbey Christian Life Center, Director of Stewardship, Executive Director of Pastoral Services and Vice Chancellor.
Since those early and humble beginnings the Permanent Diaconate has flourished and forges forward into the future with increasing scope while producing much fruit for the people of God.
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