By CECILE SAN AGUSTIN
Reporter
PATERSON - Bishop Serratelli ordained 12 men to the Order of Deacon May 16 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist here before the families and friends of the new permanent deacons and the faithful of the Paterson Diocese where they will serve.
The 12 permanent deacons - David Cedrone of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Hewitt; Peter Cistaro of St. Peter the Apostle, Parsippany; Leonard Deo of St. Ann, Parsippany; Ronald Forino of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel, Cedar Knolls; Daniel Galvin of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Wayne; James Hackett Jr. of St. Matthew, Randolph; Patrick Mann of St. Pius X, Montville; Matthew McMahon of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel, Cedar Knolls; John Schuler of Our Lady of Consolation Wayne; Richard Van Glahn of Resurrection, Randolph; Nicholas Veliky of St. Philip, Clifton; and Thomas Zayac of St. Joseph, Newton - come to serve the diocese with a wide range of work and ministry experience in their new roles as deacons.
"We gather with great joy for the many gifts, the many charisms that the Lord endows on our Church especially in these men who today offer themselves for the service of God's holy people," said the bishop in his greeting to the assembly.
Bishop Serratelli was main celebrant and homilist for the Mass and presided over the Rite of Ordination, (see sidebar on page 12). Concelebrants of the Mass were Msgr. Robert Diachek, director of deacons; pastors of candidates; and many priests of the diocese. At the Mass, ordained deacons of the diocese assisted and many of the newly ordained deacons' wives took part in the celebration as readers, gift bearers and servers.
The ordination was especially profound since Msgr. Diachek is retiring as director of deacons. He has served in the diaconate office for the past 21 years. Father Geno Sylva will serve as the new director of deacons.
In his homily, Bishop Serratelli said, "Today these men, our brothers and sons, your friends and relatives, are now given a special role of service both within the Church and for the entire world. The one Lord and savior of all is taking them close to himself and giving them a share in his work of redeeming the world, giving them a share that belongs to the Order of Deacons."
Bishop Serratelli outlined a deacon's responsibilities in his homily - to proclaim the Gospel, to dispense the Eucharist, to give instruction in holy doctrine, to prepare the Holy Sacrifice and to preside over Baptisms, marriages, funerals and public prayer. A deacon also carries out acts of charity in name of bishop or pastor, he said.
"Firmly rooted and grounded in faith, you are to show yourselves chaste and beyond reproach before God and man, as is proper for the ministers of Christ and of the stewards of God's mysteries," he told the candidates. "Holding the mystery of faith with a clear conscience, expressed by your actions the word of God which your lips proclaim so that the Christian people brought to life by the spirit may be a pure offering accepted by God. Then on the last day when you go out to meet the Lord you will be able to hear Him say, 'Well done, good and faithful, servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' "
At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Serratelli thanked all those who have been instrumental in nurturing the vocations of 12 deacons, including their families and parish communities. He gave a special thanks to Msgr. Diachek and said to him, "For almost a quarter of a century, you have prepared many, many men for the permanent diaconate. We are indebted to you in a way words can't express."
Finally to the deacons, the bishop said, "Your work in the diaconate is needed in the work of the Church. We have ordained you in our cathedral and that's a constant reminder of the role of the deacon. No deacon is ordained for a particular parish. Every deacon is ordained in the service for the entire Church of Paterson. And so, I know you will join with your other deacons serving many people of our diocese in the many different ways that you will be called upon to serve."
Order of Deacon ordination follows Church's rich traditions
PATERSON - Twelve men were ordained to the Order of Deacon in an ordination liturgy steeped in ceremony and in the rich traditions of the Church at St. John's Cathedral here May 16.
On behalf of the entire Church of Paterson, Msgr. Robert Diachek, director of deacons, requested that Bishop Serratelli ordain the candidates for deacon. Then, the bishop asked about their worthiness receiving testimony from Msgr. Diachek. The assembly then expressed its approval with applause.
Then, during the ordination, each candidate stood before the bishop, who questioned him on the Office of Deacon. Each candidate declared his intention to be ordained to the diaconate, to fulfill its duties.
After, the candidates prostrated themselves before the altar, symbolizing their humility and dependence on God's grace. The bishop invited the assembly to join in praying the Litany of the Saints to ask God to bless the candidates.
In keeping with the practice of the Apostolic Church, Bishop Serratelli laid his hands on the head of each candidate to signify the conferral of the Holy Spirit and the commission to service. He asked God to dedicate these men to the service of the Church and to renew the spirit of holiness within them.
Following the prostration and litany of supplication, priests and deacons assisted the deacon candidates by putting on the deacon's stole and then a dalmatic.
Then, Bishop Serratelli handed on the Book of the Gospels to the candidates, instructing them to "Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach."
After, the bishop and other deacons gave the newly ordained the fraternal sign of peace, welcoming them into the Order of Deacon.
