For the next few weeks I would like to cover the topic of deacons. We will be receiving a Permanent Deacon, Deacon Larry French, at St. Ann, St. Mary’s and St. Joseph. Please be attentive to this exciting new presence.
A deacon is a man who is ordained to serve the people of God. He is a cleric, due to the fact that he has received the sacrament of Holy Orders, one of the seven Sacraments. There are three levels in the sacrament of Holy Orders: Deacon, Priest, and Bishop.
In the Acts of the Apostles, deacons were ordained to assist the apostles, the first bishops. They focused on the ministry of charity, serving the poor, and the needy. We read about it in Acts 6:1-7 -At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
In the sacrament of Holy Orders deacons are the first step. Priest and Bishop would be second and third. Bishops are the Apostles of today. Each one leads a diocese, a large church centered around a city. For us that city is Indianapolis. Individual parishes (St. Ann, St. Joseph, and St. Mary’s) are part of this larger local church. Special types of bishop are archbishop, cardinal, and pope (who leads the whole Church). Bishops can celebrate all of the sacraments. They are the highest part of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Priests are co-workers of the bishops and can lead a parish. A special title for a priest is pastor or monsignor. Priests can celebrate all of the sacraments except Confirmation and Holy Orders. With special permission he can give the sacrament of Confirmation, but this is usually reserved for a bishop.
Deacons assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting at and blessing marriages outside of the context of Holy Mass, in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over baptisms and funerals outside the context of Holy Mass, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity. They cannot Celebrate Holy Mass. It is not one of their functions. So Deacon Larry will be seen doing many things, but he cannot actually consecrate bread and wine into the Flesh and Blood of Jesus.
Every priest and bishop is also a deacon. To be a bishop you have to be first ordained a deacon and then a priest and then a bishop. To be a priest you must be first ordained a deacon. Permanent Deacons are deacons for life. They accept a special calling to serve in the name of Christ in a public manner in the Liturgy of the Church and in the various needs of the community.