Florida Catholic | Seminarian Ordained Deacon

Seminarian takes another step toward priesthood

CHRIS STRUCK | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 12.14.07

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, prays over Deacon James Christian Winkeljohn as the seminarian is ordained to the Order of Deacon Dec. 1 at St. Mary Catholic Church.
CHRIS STRUCK | FC

Transitional or permanent deacons?

FORT WALTON BEACH | As the church prepared to enter into a new year, James Christian Winkeljohn entered into a new phase of his life and his vocation to the priesthood: He was ordained a transitional deacon Dec. 1 at St. Mary Parish in Fort Walton Beach, where he has been serving a pastoral year.

The ordination Mass was celebrated by Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, and concelebrated by the priests of the diocese. The next day was the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year.

“We are assembled as God’s holy people on this special day for Chris, our brother, whom we consecrate today for the work of God as a deacon,” the bishop said in his welcoming remarks.

The first reading was proclaimed by Deacon Winkeljohn’s sister, Daughter of St. Paul Sister Julie Winkeljohn, and the second by his close college friend, Mario Sacasa.

‘I was reflecting upon the power of words, especially when I was making the seven promises of the elect. It is in the power of our words that God takes us. Just like when making your vows in marriage: it’s not like your words can be taken back.’
- Deacon Chris Winkeljohn

Following the proclamation of the Gospel by Deacon Mark Wajda, Father Steven O’Hala, vice rector and academic dean of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, recommended the candidate for ordination.

In his homily, Bishop Ricard addressed Deacon Winkeljohn’s parents, saying, “First of all, I would like to extend my thanks to all of you who are here to show your support and love for Chris. The seeds of a vocation to the priesthood begin very early in life, in the home of Christian parents. In ways which escape our awareness, God was weaving and sowing that call in your son.”

Referring to the Gospel, the bishop continued, “I believe, my friends, that we could not have a more appropriate biblical image for the occasion of one’s ordination than this one.” In the reading (John 15:9-17), Jesus explicitly describes what it means to be a disciple, using the symbol of the vine and the branches.

“He is describing his intimate relationship with his Father as well as extending an invitation to us to share in the Father’s life with Jesus. This invitation is for Chris to be fully engaged as a diocesan deacon or priest; and to bear much fruit,” the bishop said.

At the conclusion of the homily, the bishop called Deacon-elect Winkeljohn forward for the promise of the elect, which comprises seven promises made to the bishop and the people at the time of ordination to the diaconate.

The Litany of the Saints followed. The bishop then laid his hands upon the ordinand’s head, the ancient, outward visible sacramental sign of ordination, and followed with the prayer of ordination.

Deacon Gary Brinkworth assisted the newly ordained deacon in putting on the dalmatic and stole of a deacon for the first time. Deacon Winkeljohn previously served a pastoral year at Deacon Brinkworth’s parish, Good Shepherd in Tallahassee.

At the conclusion of Mass, Deacon Winkeljohn declared for the first time, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, and one another.”

“We are tremendously proud of Chris and thankful to the Lord for this experience. You could really see the joy in Chris today,” said Deacon Winkeljohn’s father, James Winkeljohn. His mother, Jean, went on to say, “On the altar, at the end of Mass, it looked like Chris really belonged there.”

Deacon Winkeljohn agreed. “I was reflecting upon the power of words, especially when I was making the seven promises of the elect. It is in the power of our words that God takes us. Just like when making your vows in marriage: it’s not like your words can be taken back,” he said.

Deacon Winkeljohn progressed through the ranks of reader and acolyte to the transitional diaconate, the final step before his intended ordination to the priesthood.

Canon law requires those on the track to the priesthood to serve as transitional deacons for a period of at least six months, so his ordination will be scheduled for sometime around June 2008. In those six months, Deacon Winkeljohn will fulfill his diaconate duties such as preaching at Mass, performing baptisms, and serving at weddings, if the need arises. Personally and spiritually, he continues his preparation for ordination to the priesthood as well. “I want to go back and look at the prayers and promises from the Rite of the Diaconate, as well as look at the prayers for priestly ordination, to further prepare myself,” he said.

When asked what impact his sister and her vocation had on his own life, Deacon Winkeljohn responded, “She did two years’ postulancy and is starting her first year as novice. She has always been a voice of conscience for me, encouraging me in my faith. She was the most religious sibling in my family and was probably the first person to introduce me to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.”

Deacon Winkeljohn preached at all four of the Masses at St. Mary the first weekend he was ordained. He spoke of how his new beginnings were tied in with the liturgical season of Advent and how much gratitude he had for his vocation. “My vocation is better than anything I could’ve planned for myself. You can never go wrong in turning to God. Trust in him; do not be afraid to take his plan. He knows us better than we know ourselves.”

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Seminarian takes another step toward priesthood

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