Category Archives: Deacons

Reflection on today’s QOTD

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

We deacons would do well to heed Deacon Sean’s words in the quote for the day. Challenging words, aren’t they, especially when we are weary from whatever and the last thing we may want is another person presenting themselves. Sometimes, … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I posted this quote a year or so ago, but I offer it again, as it is from Deacon Sean Curtan from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, whom I was privileged to meet several years ago when I … Continue reading →

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Update on the First Permanent Deacon in the United States

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Deacon Bob

A few days ago, Deacon Greg Kandra posted on the death of Deacon Paul McArdle of the Brownsville, Texas diocese.  Deacon Paul died last week, and was described as the first permanent deacon ordained in the United States. This morning … Continue reading →

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May He Rest in Peace

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Deacon Greg Kandra has posted today that the first deacon ordained in the United States, Deacon Phil McArdle of the Brownsville, Texas diocese, died last Thursday, June 24. Let all of us deacons remember him in our prayers. Condolences can … Continue reading →

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St. Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Today is the memorial of St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church. He was born around 306 in Nisbis, Mesopotamia, to a Christian family. He later fled to Edessa where he was ordained a deacon. He founded a biblical school … Continue reading →

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Attention Deacons!

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Here is a brief quote from Pope Benedict XVI from his address on May 21 to the Pontifical Mission Societies. “Preaching the Gospel is the call of God’s children to freedom, to the construction of an ever more just and … Continue reading →

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Retirement for Deacons? Not Usually!

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I ran across a posting on Deacon Greg Kandra’s blog (www.blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench/) about Deacon Lou Weitzel, 90 years of age, from the diocese of Lansing, Michigan, who is going strong. I hope to have the same energy Deacon Lou has when … Continue reading →

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Ministry to the Dying

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I recently and unexpectedly attended to a dying man. As a deacon, my role is to bring Viaticum, to arrange for a priest to hear the person’s confession and to anoint him, and then to be present in person and … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, General Interest | 1 Comment

God’s Grace Works in Unexpected Ways

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Deacon Bob

One of the things that has amazed me since ordination is how much more frequently people approach me and speak of their faith or lack thereof. These are people who often have no idea that I am a deacon, or … Continue reading →

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A Portrait of the Diaconate in the U.S.

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Last month, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate from Georgetown University along with the United States Council of Catholic Bishops released a wonderful overview of the permanent diaconate in the United States. Did you know….. Twenty-one dioceses have … Continue reading →

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Words of Encouragement

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Deacon Bob

If you are a priest who is discouraged by the crisis in the Church regarding the abuse children and the Church’s response to this inexcusable crime, take a look at what Archbishop John R. Quinn, retired bishop of San Francisco said at the … Continue reading →

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Crisis in the Church, a Post-Script

Posted on April 25, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I was visiting a parish today and one of my brother deacons was the homilist.  As you know, today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and Deacon John began with an engaging recalling of his boyhood experiences with a sheep herd, a … Continue reading →

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Deacons and Marriage

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I’d like to quote Herbert Vorgrimler in his book,  Sacramental Theology, (pg. 27o):   “… all that a deacon does is done as a member of the hierarchy, of the clerus; whether married or not, the deacon makes it clear that … Continue reading →

Posted in Deacons, Sacraments, Spirituality | 13 Comments

Quote for the Day

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Be not the greatest, unless in your greatness you are the servant of all.” — Bishop John M. Quinn, August 22, 2009

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Attention Deacons!

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“The servant of God cannot know how much patience and humility he has within himself as long as everything goes well for him. But when the time comes in which those who should do him justice do quite the opposite … Continue reading →

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