Deacons needed!

Are you called to be a Deacon?

Advent 2010, courtesy of Fr. Paul Sabo

Deacons are servants.

While they are primarily "seen" in their liturgical ministry, deacons have other ministries too. Some work in soup kitchens, prisons, hospitals, etc.  I teach religion to 11th graders during the day and work at the parish in the evenings and on weekends. I coordinate RCIA, Pre-Cana, Evangelization and other ministries at St. Ben's.  It has been a rewarding ministry.  I highly recommend it!

When we are ordained, deacons receive the Gospel book.  The Bishop says:

Receive the Gospel of Christ,

whose herald you now are.

Believe what you read,

teach what you believe,

and practice what you teach.

That is our diaconal calling. I encourage others to try it too.

Think deeply and pray about it. The Lord may be calling you to serve too; don't ignore His call!

The Diocese of Buffalo is currently holding information sessions for men interested in this vocation.  In addition to attending one of the sessions below, please feel free to contact me anytime. Here is the official Diocesan announcement:

INQUIRY CLASS FOR PERMANENT DEACONS TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER 2011. Did you know that there are 124 men serving as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Buffalo? Every one of these men felt the desire to serve the Church in ways beyond their current service. Are you a man between 30 and 55 with this same prompting? God may be calling you to find out more about the Permanent Diaconate! Information Sessions are as follows:

BUFFALO -- St. Joseph-University, 3269 Main St. on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Community Room.


NORTH TONAWANDA -- St. Jude the Apostle, 800 Niagara Falls Blvd. on Sunday March 20, 2011 at 7:00pm in Msgr. Kreuzer Hall.


FREDONIA -- St. Joseph's, 145 East Main St. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Gathering Room.


EAST AURORA -- Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Rd. on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 9:00am in St. John Hall Conference Room.


BATAVIA -- Resurrection Parish [St. Mary's site], 18 Ellicott St. on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 9:00am in the Church Hall.


Attendance at one session is required for consideration for the inquiry class being formed to begin in the Fall of 2011. Call the diaconate office at 716-652-4308 to register and/or for further information. Wives of interested men are most welcome and encouraged to attend!