Posts

Showing posts from August, 2024

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

-
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector   Lectionary: 150 Reading 1 -  Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 [sic] Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 Reading 2 -  2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Alleluia -  2 Corinthians 5:19 Gospel -  Luke 18:9-14 '... for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.' In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents us with the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. This story is closely connected to the one which comes just before it about the persistent widow who secures a just decision from a dishonest judge. While the first encourages us to pray and never give up. The second reminds us how, and in what manner, we ought to pray. However, to fully understand the example Jesus gives us, we should look more closely at first the century audience that He initially spoke to. A faithful Jew at that time would have assumed two things: That the Pharisee was a very holy and devout man.  And that...
Post a Comment
Read more

Deacon Call to Holy Orders

-
Image
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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Deacon Profession of Faith/Oath of Fidelity

-
Image
  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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Deacon Ordination Planning (Invitations)

-
Image
  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
Post a Comment
Read more