Weekly THIS AND THAT for July 12, 2009: We Have a New Deacon!

This and That:
We Have a New Deacon!


As of July 1, 2009, Archbishop O’Brien has appointed newly ordained Jim Prosser as our Permanent Deacon. Jim was ordained by the Archbishop this past May 23rd at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. He is employed three days a week by WBCM in Towson as a Structural, Chemical, and Mechanical Engineer who designs chemical and manufacturing plants. He and his wife Camillus have five children and live in Towson. Jim was introduced at all the Masses this weekend. His duties will include: attending bi-weekly Pastoral Team meetings, assisting at Masses on the weekends, preparing families for the baptism of their children, celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism at our monthly group baptisms, preparing couples for Marriage, and preaching once a month. I know you will join me in welcoming Jim when you see him.

I have put together some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding Permanent Deacons that I thought you might find interesting.

Fondly,
Father Nicholas

Q: How long has the Permanent Diaconate been around?
A: The Second Vatican Council fittingly shaped the restoration of the Order of the Diaconate. “For strengthened by sacramental grace they are dedicated to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop and his body of priests, in the service of the liturgy, of the gospel, and of works of charity.” (Lumen Gentium, #29)

Q: How are Permanent Deacons assigned?
A: They are assigned by the Archbishop through his Vicar Bishops and the Division of Clergy Personnel for Diaconal Ministry in parishes, institutions, and apostolates in the Archdiocese.

Q: What sort of agreement binds them to their assigned parish?
A: A Letter of Understanding is drawn up between the deacon and the pastor and it reflects the deacon’s three-fold ministries of Charity, Word and Liturgy and spells out the specific goals for the deacon’s ministry. The extent to which a deacon responds to the three areas of service will vary according to his unique personality, gifts and talents, as well as the needs of his particular community.

Q: Is the deacon considered more of a “volunteer” or a “staff person”?
A: I deacon can be a full-time paid employee of the parish or have a 10-12 hour commitment without pay. In the latter case he is still considered a “staff person” though not an “employee.” He receives some benefits such as mileage and continuing education. As a member of a parish staff, he participates regularly in meetings of the staff, the Pastoral Council, and other appropriate collegial bodies.

Q: Since a Permanent Deacon is ordained and can be married can we then say that the Catholic Church has married clergy?
A: Yes, and not only deacons. In the Western (Roman Catholic) Church we have many cases of men of other churches (mostly Episcopalian) who have come into full communion with the Catholic Church who were previously married and have children. Also there are Eastern (Coptic and Melkite to name two) Churches whose clergy are allowed to be married.

Q: How do the responsibilities of a wife and family enter into a deacon’s ministry?
A: The deacon who is self-supporting through his own secular employment and has family commitments will provide diaconal service and ministry in ways which do not conflict with his primary obligation to his wife and family.

Q: What sort of supervision and evaluation are in place for a deacon?
A: The Letter of Understanding is one element of an ongoing process of dialogue between the deacon and his pastor. The deacon and the pastor meet regularly so that the deacon may receive support and timely feedback regarding the effectiveness of his ministry as well as to deepen and unify their relationship for the benefit of each other as well as the parish. The deacon and pastor are engaged in an annual evaluation session, set in a prayerful atmosphere, designed to affirm the deacon’s past performance and to identify new goals for continued growth and development of his ministry. A revised Letter of Understanding is prepared every two years.

Q: What other activities is the deacon involved in?
A: The Deacon participates in an annual retreat, selects a Spiritual Director, and is involved in ongoing formation, both formal (workshops) and informal (personal reading and discussion groups.) He also attends an annual Day of Enrichment or Archdiocesan Convocation, the Chrism Mass, Ordinations, Area Clergy Meetings, Deacon funerals, and other deacon gatherings.