But your Reward in Heaven is Great...

Deacon Greg was asked a question on Lino Rulli's radio show yesterday which I've been asked several times, by people who know that I'm considering the Diaconate.

Do you get paid to be a deacon? Deacon Greg responds in today's post:

Deacons are not salaried. Unlike priests, we don't get a stipend for masses, weddings or funerals. At Christmas, the pastor might slip an envelope into my hand and thank me, but that's about it. As I told the caller yesterday, summoning the only cliche I could think of, "My reward will be great in heaven. But here? Not so much."

I knew that and find it interesting. The principle at work here is that Deacons are men in the world, who's first ministry is to their families and their chosen vocation in life. Their ministry is an additional matter. The two Deacons in my parish both have lots of things going on in their lives and yet they still make time for ministry. It's a tough balance, not unlike what we lay ministers go through, although our full time jobs are our ministry most of the time.

So today pray let's for our Deacons who do a lot for our parishes and sacrifice much of their time with their families for their parishes.

Marriage for Anglican Priests is OK...But Then Why Not for Catholic Deacons?

I've been silent on the Vatican's recent proclamation about welcoming married Anglican priests into Catholicism who are disenfranchised with their denomination's ordinations of women and homosexuals.

While I'm not sure that the reason for including these priests into our fold, is the main reason we should be welcoming them into Catholicism, I'm also excited to see what the end result is of having more men in the priesthood who do not have to exercise celibacy.

But a larger question looms, we have welcomed married men who have had differences with us into our priestly ministry, but what about offering permanent deacons the same option?

I certainly want to uphold the ministry of deacon as a distinct calling and if celibacy was optional tomorrow, I would hope that many deacons continue to be deacons and not just become priests. Their distinctiveness is something that we should honor and be joyful for their ministry. However, might some of these Deacons felt called to the priesthood and simply chose the diaconate because they had no other option when it comes to ordained ministry? I would wonder why those who have been long time Catholics not be extended the same welcome?

Might we think about those who might feel this way and offer them an opportunity to re-examine their ministry because after all a Deacon has been a loyal Catholic and perhaps have struggled with this for some time.

While I would think most Deacons wouldn't take the option, I do think that those that would at least want to examine what their call has manifested itself into and see if they really feel called to the diaconate or if they are only become deacons because they can't be priests. While formation is supposed to weed out these types, I'm sure there are plenty of people who discover a call to the priesthood post-ordination to the diaconate as well.

Calling all Deacons...what thinkest thou?


And by the way...nobody's said this but does this open the door for the famous Fr Alberto Cutie to come back to his diocese?

Men in Black: The Deacon Version

Deacon Greg raises an issue that I've heard lots of opinions on: Should Deacons wear a Roman Collar?

As a wanna-be Deacon I have a definite opinion on the issue and it's pretty simple. Deacons should not WANT to look like a priest. Or perhaps better stated, Deacons should want their own "look." What that look might be is what should be debated.

In my parent's parish in the 70s and 80s our Deacon was the DRE (Director of Religious Education) and he wore a collar then. He doesn't today. But often he was mistaken for a priest, especially by parents who would just drop their kids off at CCD but hadn't ever been to mass in the parish. The Deacon always said he knew which parents were church-goers because they'd all recognize him as a Deacon and the non-attendees would say "Good Morning, Father." Even a name tag didn't help him. People still confused him for the priest.

My thought is simple. Deacons can wear the collar but also should wear something more distinguishable from their priests. Maybe the diaconal stole should be worn over the clerical collar when on official parish business, maybe even one with the word "Deacon" on it? I've seen those who don't wear collars wear a small lapel pin (pictured, right) but I just don't think that cuts it.

As Deacon Greg notes, wearing a collar definitely changes the perspective of people toward Deacons. You're not really "one of the lay people" anymore once that gets strapped on your neck. But to add something more distinctive to it might raise the profile of the Deacon as a minister and be useful in helping identify them in hospitals and funeral homes.

Any ideas on a Deacon's Uniform?

Your Communion Isn't Good Enough

From Catholic News Agency

Lancashire, England, Jul 30, 2009 / 03:17 am (CNA).- An Anglican cathedral is trying to accommodate those of its faithful who do not accept female clergy by allowing parishioners to decide whether to accept communion bread blessed by its female canon or by a male priest. Blackburn Cathedral in Lancashire recently installed Rev. Sue Penfold as a residential canon. Cathedral canon Andrew Hindley explained the decision to This Is Lancashire, saying it was agreed by all the clergy that it was the best way to handle what they called a “mixed economy.”

The congregation can choose whether to receive communion bread blessed by Rev. Penfold or bread blessed by a male priest at the main cathedral service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

After reading this story I have a feeling that in the Catholic Church there is an equivalent snubbing going on. There are a good deal of people who won't receive communion from a lay minister or a deacon and will go out of their way to receive communion from the priest.

Um, last time I checked we were all giving out Jesus.

Congrats to the New Brooklyn Deacons

I spent the morning watching the entire ordination mass for the 20 new Brooklyn Deacons on Net TV. Just a note, but when was the last time you heard a diocese or religious order ordaining 20 new priests?!

I'm just sayin....

Deacon Greg, a Brooklyn Diocese Deacon himself, has great pics--one of which I have stolen and therefore offer a h/t to him for with the recommendation that you go and check the rest of them out as well.

Twas a beautiful ceremony. I was particularly impressed with seeing the differences between a priest's ordination which I have seen several times and a deacon's ordination which I think I've only seen once before. In particular the candidates promise the Bishop their obedience to him as well as his successors. This is followed by the laying on of hands by the Bishop (which differs from a priests ordination where all the priests lay hands on the candidate. And lastly, the book of the Gospels is given to the Deacons. The last part offers one of the more beautiful lines in the church parlance:

"Receive this book.
Believe what you Read,
Teach what you Believe
and Practice what you Teach"

So congratulations to the class of 2009 and may God continue to bless your ministry and may we be blessed by your dedication to God's people. A special word of thanks to the wives of the Deacons who sacrifice much of their family time so that their husbands can serve the church.