Saturday, May 9, 2009
10:30 AM
Incarnation Church
240 Main Street
Mantua, NJ 08051
Eight men will be ordained permanent deacons to serve in the Diocese of Camden: Francis A. Cerullo, 56, Saint Padre Pio Parish, Vineland, Jose M. Cruz, 60, Saint Nicholas Parish, Egg Harbor, Frank Guaracini, Jr., 54, Sacred Heart Parish, Vineland, E. Michael Henry, 70, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden, Joseph J. Izzo, 61, Incarnation Parish, Mantua, Albert A. LaMonaca, Jr., 59, Saint Mary Parish, Williamstown, Leonard W. Long, 57, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Absecon, Donald W. Rogozenski, 51, Saint Mary Parish, Rosenhayn.
In addition, Michael A. Truman, 52, Immaculate Conception Parish, Elkton, MD, will be ordained a permanent deacon to serve in the Diocese of Wilmington.
Also Bishop Galante will ordain Jon Peter Thomas, 26, of Mantua, as a transitional deacon. His ordination as a transitional deacon marks his final stage of preparation toward his future ordination to priesthood.
Permanent deacons are ordained clergy. Like all ordained clergy, they are called to the functions of Word, Sacrament and Charity, though each in his own distinct way. The deacon is a minister of the church who shares in the Sacrament of Holy Orders with his fellow bishops and priests. The primary duties of the deacon are to serve the needs of the church and to assist the priests at a local parish. Permanent deacons proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach homilies, assist the priest celebrant at Mass, distribute Communion, preside at baptisms, funeral and burial services and witness weddings. They may not celebrate Mass or administer the sacraments of reconciliation or anointing of the sick, which are reserved for the ordained priesthood.
In parishes, permanent deacons are frequently found in sacramental preparation programs, youth ministry, religious education, home visitation, charitable assistance programs and other areas of ministry. Also, permanent deacons are called to lead works of charity and to advance the cause of social justice. For example, they are assigned to hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. Permanent deacons work in various urban ministries and serve the crews of the ships that dock in the port of Camden. They also teach in diocesan schools and local colleges.
The permanent diaconate is open to single and married men over the age of 35. In accord with ancient tradition, unmarried deacons must remain unmarried, while those who are married may not remarry if their spouses die.
The order of the diaconate dates back to the apostolic age, though in time it became a transitional stage on the path to priesthood. It was restored as a permanent order by the Church after the Second Vatican Council on June 18, 1967. In his apostolic letter setting out the General Norms for the permanent diaconate, Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, Pope Paul VI wrote, “It is not to be considered as a mere step towards the priesthood, but it is so adorned with its own indelible character and its own special grace so that those who are called to it ‘can permanently serve the mysteries of Christ and the Church.'”
The beginning of the modern diaconate as a permanent ministry in the Diocese of Camden began in 1976, when 30 men were ordained to the order of the permanent diaconate by Bishop George Guilfoyle. Today there are 127 permanent deacons in the Diocese of Camden, 109 of which are in active ministry.