Florida Catholic | A Closer Step

A closer step

Four men take the next–to–last step on a journey to the diaconate.

JOE DIAZ | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 04.25.08

VENICE | Four men took the next step in their journey to become permanent deacons April 13 at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane installed Joe Allison, Tom Grant, Kevin McKenney and Epimaco Roca of the Diaconate Formation Program for the Diocese of Venice as acolytes, the final step before the men are scheduled to be ordained as permanent deacons in 2009.

Family and friends gathered as part of the special Mass, honoring Allison of St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres, Grant of Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, McKenney of St. Martha Parish in Sarasota and Roca of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice.

The position of acolyte is a step in the formation of a permanent deacon. A man enters formation as an aspirant, which he is for two years. The next step is installation to candidacy, followed a year later by installation to reader, and one year after that by installation as an acolyte. After one year as an acolyte, a man — having completed extensive formation including ministerial work, master’s-level education and training in theology, among many other specialties — can be ordained as a permanent deacon by the bishop.

Permanent deacons perform various ministries, mostly at the parish level. Once ordained, deacons may proclaim the Gospel, preach homilies, baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, and witness marriages and conduct funerals outside of Mass. In the meantime, installed by the bishop as acolytes, the men have the ability to serve at the altar.

“Their main responsibility is to assist the deacon in preparing the altar for Mass and then clearing it following the Mass,” said Deacon Bill Ladroga, diaconate formation director for the Diocese of Venice. “The position of acolyte can be a permanent position — a man who cannot continue to ordination as a deacon can remain an acolyte for life.”

During the installation Mass, Bishop Dewane handed each prospective acolyte a chalice and paten with bread and wine, not consecrated. These symbolize the service that the acolyte can now provide for the church and especially the Mass.

Bishop Dewane incorporated the message of change into his homily, bringing to mind the change that the men are going through in the formation process.

“In order to follow Jesus, we must all be changed,” he said. “These men after their change in their call to follow Christ, they will go out into those pastures; (for) some the journey will go longer, farther out into the pastures to serve the diocese.”

The formation is a long and intense process. Each man has a career, family and many other obligations, which he learns to balance.

Elizabeth McKenney, 12, whose father was one of those installed, said that she has noticed a difference in him.

“I have really seen him change since he has been studying to be a deacon,” Elizabeth said. “He has more patience. If I brought home a bad grade before it would be different then. Now, he sits down and talks to me about it; he is much more patient and at peace.”

She hopes for the best as he enters the last year of the formation program.

“I just want him to make it; he has worked so hard. I want him to be a deacon and be happy after all that he has done. I just love him.”

Return to Diocese of Venice Front Page

A closer step

Other Stories