Category Archives: Deacons

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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Guest Homily for the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Deacon Bob

Today is the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary. It is also the 5th Anniversary of my Ordination. I, along with eleven other men were ordained deacons at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona Minnesota on this day … Continue reading →

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A Wonderful Catechesis on the Diaconate

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Deacon Bob

I happened on to this video of a Eucharistic Congress in New Zealand back in 2008. The speaker is a permanent deacon who gives a wonderful catechesis on the diaconate that I would like to share. He is a splendid … Continue reading →

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The Three Great Temptations for the Deacon

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Deacon Bob

There seems to me to be three enticing temptations for the deacon in his life and ministry. I have been thinking of them in the context of an article I am writing about diaconal spirituality that I hope to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, Spirituality | 2 Comments

Deacons of the Diocese of Sioux City, Evangelization and Celibacy

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Deacon Bob

I had a wonderful time yesterday with the deacons of the Diocese of Sioux City. In case you are unfamiliar with the geography, this diocese is the northwest corner on Iowa. Purely rural. Farmland for miles to be seen, all … Continue reading →

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Deacons as Viewed in Rome

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Deacon Bob

Thanks to deacon Greg Kandra, I read with interest an interview conducted by Vatican Insider on the diaconate in the Diocese of Rome. The responder is Msgr. Nicola Filippi, the delegate for the diaconate in Rome. Does the Church’s credibility … Continue reading →

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Celibacy and Marriage in the Clerical State

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Deacon Bob

http://youtu.be/i61kl3YY9sE I ran across this video in which seminarians from the North American College speak of celibacy. I am curious what other married deacons and priests think of the points made in the video. As a married deacon, I find that … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, Marriage and Family | 1 Comment

In Re: What About Deacons?

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Deacon Bob

In regards to my previous post, I wish to present again a post I wrote in 2010 , when now pope-emeritus Benedict exhorted the Scottish bishops to care for their deacons and reinforced the deacon as heralds of the Gospel. … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, Evangelization | 1 Comment

Pope Francis’ Letter to Families; What About the Deacons of the Church?

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Deacon Bob

Recently, the Holy Father issued a letter addressed to all families in the world. In it, he speaks of the upcoming Synod of Bishops which is being convened to discuss the theme “pastoral challenges to the family in the context … Continue reading →

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Prayer to St. Stephen, Deacon and Proto-Martyr of the Church

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Deacon Bob

  Prayer to St. Stephen, Protomartyr The Apostles chose Stephen the deacon, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, whom the Jews stoned whilst he prayed, saying: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and lay not this sin … Continue reading →

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Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel – And a Comment about the Diaconate

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father has issued his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. I have yet to read it in its entirety, (I’m still working on it!) but from what I have read it is a clear challenge to us all. Here is the link to … Continue reading →

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The Call to Serve as Deacon

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Here is a video put out by the USCCB on the permanent diaconate. Take a look and let me know what you think.

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State of the Diaconate in the United States

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) out of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. released its 2012-2013 report entitled A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate. This report is a study for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis Reflects on the Meaning of Christian Service

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father spoke today on the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle on encountering the living God through the wounds of Christ. I ran across this in an email from a brother deacon in my diocese who spends enormous … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, General Interest, Pope Francis | 1 Comment