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Showing posts from August, 2024

First Sunday of Advent (A)

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The Unknown Day and Hour   Lectionary: 1 Reading 1 -  Isaiah 2:1-5 Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 122: 1-9 Reading 2 -  Romans 13:11-14 Alleluia -  Cf. Psalm 85:8 Gospel -  Matthew 24:37-44 '... Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.' Introduction  As we gather on this First Sunday of Advent , we also mark the beginning of the Church’s new liturgical calendar and a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from either of two Latin words, which simply mean “to come” (Ad-venire) or “to arrive” (Ad-ventus), and as early as the fourth (4th) century, Christians have had this special time of preparation towards Christmas. Of course, Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; Even as we begin the material preparations for the social celebration of Christmas, the liturgical celebrations of these weeks invite us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. But what does the co...
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Deacon Call to Holy Orders

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Holy orders in the Catholic Church From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The sacrament of holy orders in the Catholic Church includes three orders: bishops , priests , and deacons , in decreasing order of rank, collectively comprising the clergy . In the phrase "holy orders", the word "holy" means "set apart for a sacred purpose". The word "order" designates an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ordination means legal incorporation into an order. In context, therefore, a group with a hierarchical structure that is set apart for ministry in the Church. The Diaconate is one of the three Major Orders in the Catholic Church. The first deacons were ordained by the Apostles in Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. The ministry of the deacon in the Roman Catholic Church is described as one of service in three areas: the Word, the Liturgy and Charity. The deacon's ministry of the Word includes proclaiming the Gospel during the Mass...
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Deacon Profession of Faith/Oath of Fidelity

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  On August 21, 2024, my fellow candidates for Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate and I, along with our wives, participated in the Ceremony of Sacred Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity "in the presence of the local ordinary, or his delegate," at the Bethany Chapel for the Pastoral Center in Braintree. This ceremony is the final step before we receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Sep. 21 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross ... and it is required by Canon Law ( Can. 833 ) for all men approaching Holy Orders "at the beginning of their function," including " those to be promoted to the order of the diaconate ".   Reverend Paul Soper, the Secretary for Ministerial Personnel and Director of Clergy Personnel, presided over the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity at Evening Prayer, assisted by Deacon Christopher Connelly, Director of Permanent Diaconate Formation.  Near the end of each of the ceremonies, which was essentially a recitation of the c...
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Deacon Ordination Planning (Invitations)

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  Invitations went out this week. It may not be clear on the RSVP, but all family members are welcome, just be sure to give me a count on the RSVP (or message me directly). If, for whatever reason, you do not receive an invite sometime within the next week or so (or if you have misplaced it), and you would like to attend, you are more than welcome to do so; you can find the details for the ordination and reception here: https://www.deaconordination.org (be sure to click on my name to get all the specifics).  If you are looking for gift ideas ... my ordination gift list is here:  https://giftlist.com/lists/f4LVDhyQuDfx1uGm8fKX
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