Category Archives: Deacons

Deacon Bob’s Homily to Deacons on Retreat

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Deacon Bob

Here is a homily I will give to deacons on retreat. Blessings in abundance on my brothers! Homily to Diaconate Community October 26, 2019 Saturday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time Remain rooted in Christ! Belong to the Father! … Continue reading →

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Deacon Bob’s Homily at the Advent Clergy Day 2015

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Deacon Bob

Here is the homily I was asked to give at the Advent Clergy Day for the Diocese of Winona. God bless each of you! Advent Day of Reflection for Clergy of Winona Diocese December 17, 2015 Owatonna, Minnesota Scripture: Isaiah … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis Greets Deacons on the Occasion of their 50th Year Jubilee in Rome

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Deacon Bob

Pope Francis was to have given an audience to deacons from around the world who were gathering in Rome last month for a Jubilee celebrating 50 years since the Vatican Council restored the diaconate as a permanent rank in the … Continue reading →

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Random Thoughts: Loneliness, Complexity, and Relationship in Christian Life

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Deacon Bob

It has been a number of weeks since my last posting, and for good reason. My responsibilities for the diaconal community in our diocese has increased including coordinating the annual retreat last week. It was a wonderful experience for us … Continue reading →

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Trappists, Deacons, Retreats and all the rest

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Deacon Bob

I was honored this past week to preach the canonical retreat for the candidates for diaconal ordination from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Prior to ordination, all men to be ordained must make a five day retreat. The … Continue reading →

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Thank You, Sioux City Deacons and Wives

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Deacon Bob

A heartfelt thank you to the deacons, candidates, and wives of the diocese of Sioux City, Iowa for allowing me to serve them last week as retreat master for their annual retreat. It was held at St. Benedict’s Priory in … Continue reading →

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47 Deacons to be Ordained!!

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Deacon Bob

The diocese of Allentown will be ordaining 47 men to the diaconate this weekend. Forty-seven from all walks of life. This is probably the largest ordination class in the country this year. I found their ages interesting. I believe that … Continue reading →

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Off to NADD I Go and various other sundry things

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Deacon Bob

I will be taking off later today for Minneapolis to attend the National Association of Deacon Directors annual convention. One of the several responsibilities I have been given by my bishop is that of Assistant Director of Deacon Personnel, and … Continue reading →

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Attention All Deacons and Priests! Why Deacons Chant the Exultet

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Deacon Bob

I have provided below a link to a blog post by Deacon Bill Ditewig in which he describes some of the history and theology of the deacon’s presence and function during the Easter Vigil. It speaks of the “why” a … Continue reading →

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To All Deacons

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Deacon Bob

Brothers in Christ,   A colleague of mine from Rome, Bishop Anthony Taylor of the diocese of Little Rock, wrote the following:   But [Jesus’] best friend, John, did stay with him all the way to the end. And notice, John … Continue reading →

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Deacons Preach

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Deacon Bob

With all due respect to the writer of a recent article over at  Aletia who states that diaconal preaching is essentially non-liturgical (http://www.aleteia.org/en/religion/article/father-rutler-on-preaching-the-art-of-drawing-the-flock-to-the-sacramental-life-5874308433838080), I must underscore here the importance and indeed I believe the centrality of deacons preaching in liturgical … Continue reading →

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Francis speaks of deacons again!!

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father once again mentioned deacons directly in his Wednesday General Audience today! Deo Gratias. He did so last week also, which is so welcomed by us deacons who long for a connection to his heart and to know … Continue reading →

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Holy Father’s Words to Deacons, Priests, and Bishops

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father directly spoke of deacons last Wednesday during his General Audience. He rarely mentions deacons, and those of us who have been called to the diaconate have been a bit confused as to his silence (see previous  posts). His comments … Continue reading →

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Deacon Bob’s Retreat Homily to the Diaconate Community of Winona

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Deacon Bob

Here is my homily to the diaconate community of the Diocese of Winona on Friday morning.  God bless each of you! Homily to Deacons and Wives Homily to Deacons and Wives Deacon Retreat, October 23-26, 2014 One of my fondest … Continue reading →

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Deacon Bob’s Homily for Saturday, September 6, Votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary and Opening Mass for Deacon Aspirants

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Deacon Bob

Here is my homily from this morning’s Mass opening the aspirancy year for deacon aspirants in the Diocese of Winona. Homily for Aspirants September 6, 2014 Winona, MN Humble and bold. Two words we don’t often associate in our minds. Humble … Continue reading →

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