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What is a Permanent Deacon?
The Church is a servant and carries on the mission of Christ. The deacon is a witness to the serving Christ; a man of faith called by the Church to serve God and his neighbors; and an official representative of the Church in loving service to others.
The deacon's life is one of service. Christ states, "I have not come to be served, but to serve." The deacon is an ordained minister of the church and receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders from th bishop. He is "in communion with bishops and priests." As the Greek word diakonos suggests, a deacon is a servant, assisting in the work of bringing God to His people and of reconciling His people to God through the proclamation of the Word, celebration of the Sacraments, and service to others. Often his most effective ministry on behalf of the Church is in the surroundings of his worldly environment.
The leadership-service of the deacon is not performed in isolation but in union with other ordained and non-ordained ministers in the Church and divided into a three-fold ministry:- Ministry of Liturgy: Assist at Liturgies; administers baptism; winess and bless marriages; officiate at wakes, funerals, burial services; benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; and preside over prayer services.
- Ministry of the Word: Proclaim the Good News of Jesus in the Gospel; periodically preach; provide catechesis and faith formation programs.
- Ministry of Service and Charity: Various ministries such as health care, youth, prison, campus, peace and justice, pastoral counseling, the elderly, homeless and other marginalized individuals.
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Why Become a Deacon?If you believed that you are called to share the truth of the Gospel, to take the gospel to the poor, the young, the elderly and everyone in between, then you may have a calling to be a deacon. If serving others is your calling, then you may have what it takes to be a deacon.
The first step in the process of considering a vocation is to pray over it. The next step is to discuss your thoughts with your wife, if married, since she would have to agree in writing for you to enter formation. Next, meet and discuss your thoughts with your pastor. If you feel called and your pastor supports your call, the next step is to attend an information session and complete an application. The Church needs to know and confirm you are called before it can ordain you as well. Therefore, there is a five year formation program, including studying for a Masters of Theologry Degree and continual discernment.
Hopefully your prayers, discernment and discussion with your wife and pastor will help you to make a decision to move forward and make a formal inquiry.
The Office of the Permanent Diaconate
The Office is responsible for the Formation of Deacons and the personnel and administrative aspects of deacons in the diocese.
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Contact Us
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WRuanepatersondiocese.orgDirector, Permanent Diaconate; DPC Representative; Deacon at Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish, Randolph
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for more information click below
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Office of the Permanent Diaconate
Located at Saint Paul Inside the Walls
205 Madison Avenue, Madison, New Jersey 07940Deacon Directory
