This Saturday, October 1, the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth will host a Come and See for men interested in discerning the permeant diaconate.
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).
Today, some deacons are single; however, most are married and share their dedication to ministry with their wives and families. The typical deacon attempts to balance three priorities in his life: the responsibility of husband and father, his job or profession by which he earns a living or supplements retirement income, and his ministry as an ordained deacon. The springboard of service and spirituality for most deacons is his lifelong commitment to his wife in the Sacrament of Matrimony. A deacon is a servant at all times. Ministry is understood in a holistic manner. Service rendered in the context of the family may well be a much needed ministry in our culture, which is enriched and challenged by it.
For more information on this weekend’s Come and See for the permanent diaconate, click here (pdf). Or contact Deacon Robert Doyle, the Director of Deacons, by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
