Support of ADF Translates Into Support for Diaconate Ministry

Deacons assist with Mass in several ways, including proclaiming the Gospel.

Many people think of the deacon as that vested man who helps the priest during Mass.

The deacon does assist at Mass by proclaiming the gospel, preaching and distributing the Eucharist. The call of the Order of Deacons, however, is primarily a call to a ministry of service. Today in our archdiocese we have 68 active deacons who serve in many roles.

These include prison chaplains, parish administrators, directors of religious education and directors of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Deacons do marriage and baptism preparation, baptize people serve as the Church’s witness to Catholic marriages, teach adult education, plan and officiate at funerals, have communion services in the absence of a priest, take communion to visit shut-ins and nursing homes residents and generally help with various functions within the parish and diocese. Deacons do not take the place of a priest. They, like a priest, are ordained to serve the people of the archdiocese.

Although the deacon receives the sacrament of holy orders, he does not necessarily function in the order as his full-time occupation, but remains responsible for the support of himself and his family in his normal job. He offers service as a deacon, dedicating 10 to 12 hours each week to this work of the church.

The ADF is the primary funding source for the formation, spiritual development and education of deacons. The Diaconate program presently has 26 men eligible for Ordination in Nov 2006 and 14 men who have just started the program. The cost of educating these men and their spouses is paid for by ADF. The ordained deacons are required to keep current on their faith various programs within the church. The ADF helps to pay for these continuing education opportunities. Each year the deacon is offered a spiritual retreat part of which is funded by ADF Thanks to the generosity of the people of the archdiocese of Oklahoma City, through the ADF the deaconate program is able to grow and to continue to serve.