Category Archives: Deacons

Quote for the Day

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Deacon Bob

“Perhaps, in a dramatic way, the deacon is called to the charism of tenderness in the life of the Church.” — Cardinal Timothy Dolan

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Through the Eyes of a Deacon

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Accepting is one thing, embracing is another. In order for a deacon to thrive in ministry and in life, he needs not only to be accepted but also embraced in his ministries. What I often hear from brother deacons is … Continue reading →

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Covert Euthanasia

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The manner in which we care for our elderly, especially in health care, is something about which I get rather passionate. Most of my extended family have heard me go on a heated monologue about the manner in which the … Continue reading →

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A Deacon’s Relationship with the Blood of Christ

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I have been asked on more than one occasion why deacons are related to the chalice, i.e., to the Blood of Christ. This is signified at Mass when the deacon elevates the chalice during the doxology, and when he preferentially … Continue reading →

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Deacon Bob’s Homily for 2nd Saturday of Lent, Cycle C

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I offered this homily at a  Day of Reflection given to all deacons and wives of the Diocese of Winona. The Gospel was on the Prodigal Son. I have only the text to share. Saturday, 2nd Week of Lent, Cycle C March … Continue reading →

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“He is possessed by Beelzebul!”

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Deacon Bob

We heard in the Gospel for today’s Mass the scribes uttering, “He is possessed by Beelzebul.” Jesus, in response, asks the question whether Satan can long stand if his house is divided. In other words, Jesus points out that he, … Continue reading →

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Attention Deacons! The Feast of St. Vincent, deacon and martyr

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Tomorrow is the memorial of the martyr and deacon St. Vincent. Most of what we know about this deacon comes from the poet Prudentius. St. Augustine delivered a sermon about the deacon Vincent and drew from the Acts Vincent in doing so. What … Continue reading →

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The deacon: Servant of the New Evangelization

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Deacon Bob

I will be conducting a retreat for the diaconal community of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin in February centered on the New Evangelization and the Transmission of the Faith. Please pray as I prepare. With that in my mind … Continue reading →

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Mary’s Greatness Lay in Her Fidelity to God’s Word

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I will deliver this homily to the diaconal community in the Winona diocese as we gathered for an Advent Day of Reflection. The Mass will be a votive Mass in honor of our Blessed Mother. Homily for Advent Day of … Continue reading →

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The Discipleship of Mary, Mother of God

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I have been stuck thinking about what St. Augustine said a few days ago in the second reading in the Office of Readings on the memorial of the Presentation of Mary. If you recall, he said that Mary saw her … Continue reading →

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Diaconal Spirituality and Marriage

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I wrote a post many months ago on the spirituality of the diaconate and marriage. My point was that there was a dynamic tension between the ontologic change that occurs in the deacon by virtue of his ordination and the precendential graces … Continue reading →

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New Statistics on Permanent Deacons in the World

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Every year, in view of World Mission Day celebrated this year on October 21, Fides News Service publishes statistics that describe the Church’s missionary activities throughout the world. Included in those statistics is information about permanent deacons. Catholics number 1,195,671,000 … Continue reading →

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The Hidden Ministry of the Deacon

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I want to thank a brother deacon, Scott Dodge from Salt Lake City (www.scottdodge.blogspot.com) for sparking my thoughts on this topic. He has a splendid post today of the ministry of the deacon written by a guest blogger, Deacon Norb over … Continue reading →

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Diaconal Suffering

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Deacon Bob

A good meditation for deacons on suffering is to place yourself next to St. Stephen as we find him in the Scriptures. In a nearby church in the apse over the sanctuary is a fresco of the martyrdom of St. … Continue reading →

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Our Lady of Sorrows and Diaconal Suffering

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Today’s memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows — that is our Lady’s spiritual martyrdom, as St. Bernard writes — brings back to mind a theme I have been pondering for many months. The deacon’s relationship with suffering seems central to … Continue reading →

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