Florida Catholic | Want To Be A Deacon?

Want to be a deacon?

Diaconate and lay ecclesial ministry programs invite Catholics to information nights.

AMY FERRARA SMITH | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 04.04.08

Diaconate and lay ecclesial ministries information meetings:

Pensacola — Monday, April 14, 7 p.m., Pastoral Center

Tallahassee — Wednesday, April 16, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Parish

Panama City — Thursday, April 17, 7 p.m., St. Dominic Parish

If you are interested in either of these programs, please first talk with your pastor. For further information:

Diaconate, contact Deacon Gerald Williamson,
850-435-3531

Lay ecclesial ministry, contact Msgr. James Flaherty,
850-435-3546

PENSACOLA | Beginning in August, new classes of both the diaconal and lay ecclesial ministries will seek to enter into traditions of service that have been a part of the Catholic faith since the early church. To introduce potential candidates to these ministries, the diocese will host several information nights beginning in April.

These nights “are to provide people who are interested in either one information if this is what they are seeking as a ministry,” explained Deacon Gerald (Jerry) Williamson, deacon at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pensacola and director of deacon personnel and of permanent deacon formation for the diocese.

According to Deacon Williamson, the diaconate of the Catholic Church traces its roots back to St. Luke’s Acts of the Apostles 6:1-6. “The community,” said Deacon Williamson, “at the insistence of the (apostles), selected ‘seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom,’ who they could appoint to manage the distribution of food to the neglected Hellenists’ widows.”

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was among the seven, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas of Antioch.

“With the formation of this group diakonia (service),” continued Deacon Williamson, “the ministry of charity became part of the fundamental structure of the church.”

For Pat Clemens, this June will mark the beginning of his final year in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee diaconate formation program.

“Jerry (Williamson) was excellent in guiding me and getting me into the program,” said Clemens.

In 1990, Clemens had what he calls a “life-changing experience.” Doctors diagnosed him with a rare kidney disease. They told his wife, Sheila, who is the administrative assistant in the diocesan Department of Christian Formation, that her husband would not live. She said that she would find something to help; her determination led her to a doctor who could help.

Meanwhile, the Clemens’ daughter tried to encourage her father to enter into the diaconate program.

“I didn’t think that I was worthy,” he remembered. “I prayed for guidance.”

Many years later, those prayers led Clemens to decide that the ministry of deacon was something that he wanted — and needed — to pursue.

Once he is ordained, Clemens will be able to assist the priest or bishop with the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Deacons may also proclaim the Gospel and occasionally preach. They also assist with the distribution of the Eucharist and dismiss the people to go forth from the celebration to live out their faith.

“In the absence of the priest,” explained Deacon Williamson, “you might see him during the week presiding at a Communion service, a wake service, a burial service, adoration and/or Benediction. He might baptize your child, receive your vows of marriage, bring you Communion when you are sick at home or in the hospital, visit those incarcerated, teach you in the religious education programs or provide counseling in times of trouble.”

Laypeople also have the opportunity to be an integral part of parish life. According to Msgr. James Flaherty, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pensacola and director of the diocesan Institute for Ministry Formation, lay ecclesial ministers are parishioners who take on leadership positions, such as youth ministers and directors of religious education.

“They shouldn’t be seen as replacing the priest, but as a call to laity to participate in the proclamation of the Gospel,” said Msgr. Flaherty.

This year, the programs will collaborate with Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky., to provide online courses for participants.

“It’s been a great journey,” Clemens said of his time in the diaconate program, “and I only hope to go on to ordination.”

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