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Chancery

What is a Deacon?

This weekend, September 17-18, Archbishop Dunn has invited pastors to have a deacon preach at the Mass as a means to bring attention to the ministry of the permanent deacon.  A Diaconal Come and See will be hosted on Saturday, October 1, 2022.  For more information click here (pdf). 

Restored after 1,500 years by the Second Vatican Council, the Diaconate is rooted in the experience of the New Testament Church. We read in Acts that the apostles chose deacons to help them respond to the pressing needs of the infant Church in Jerusalem and maintain fidelity to its mission of service. Deacons are called to embody the ideal of every follower of Christ, to be “one who serves” (Luke 22:27).

Many deacons are numbered among the saints celebrated by the Church throughout the liturgical year. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was one of the original seven deacons in the Acts of the Apostles. Lawrence, among the great saints in the early church and on the list of martyrs venerated at Rome, was untiring in his efforts to serve the greatest treasure of the Church of Rome, its poor.

In the early Church, deacons responded to the needs identified by the bishops. Contemporary deacons also have a wide outlook. Ordained for the service of the diocese, they are recognized as collaborative associates of the bishops. The ministry of deacons, in parishes, and in special outreach ministries, by its very nature, calls for a team approach, complimentary to the ministries of others.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in discerning a call to the diaconate, contact the Director of Deacons, Deacon Robert Doyle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Decrees of Our New Parishes

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Decrees of Our New Parishes
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Archdiocesan Crest

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Crest Details

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Chancery Contact

Deacon Robert Doyle
Chancellor
(902) 429-9800 ext. 307
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Archdiocesan Funeral Guidelines

Archbishop Mancini in collaboration with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our Church of IMG 2500 webHalifax-Yarmouth prepared the document on Catholic funerals in the Archdiocese of Halifax Yarmouth. The document is titled "Catholic Funerals: Theological and Pastoral Considerations".

The document touches on the frequent experience in our faith communities that funerals draw people with diverse connections to the Catholic faith or faith in general. Liturgical options, specifically the separation of the Funeral Rite (Order of Christian Funerals) and the celebration of the Eucharist, can facilitate a fuller involvement of mourners at Catholic funerals. As well new opportunities are presented to evangelize and catechized a Christian understanding of life, death and resurrection. For the faithful the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist at a memorial Mass within a short time of the funeral liturgy can be much more meaningful experience of communion.

This guidelines addresses issues like eulogies, use of Christian symbols at funerals, cremation, and the celebration of the funeral rite at funeral parlors as well as other points to assist parish personnel in the ministry to those who are grieving.

download:             English (pdf)                          French (pdf)