Five men were ordained deacons by Bishop Richard Lennon during a liturgy on May 7 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Kent Davis, St. Mary Hudson; Mark Janezic, St. Rita, Solon; Thomas Litwinowicz, St.Matthias, Parma; William Perkins, St. Martin of Tours, Valley City; and Scott Proper, Holy Family, Stow, join about 200 fellow deacons who are ordained for service in the Diocese of Cleveland.
Ordination comes after five years of study and discernment. The three main areas of service for deacons are ministry of the Word, ministry of the liturgy and ministry of charity.
Bishop Lennon encouraged the men to reflect on God?s teachings as they begin their ministry of service. He told the new deacons their role is ?to preach the Gospel, prepare people for the sacraments, instruct believers and non-believers, assist at marriages, bring viaticum to the dying and conduct the funeral rite.?
As he handed each deacon the book of the Gospels, Bishop Lennon told them: ?Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.?
The rite of ordination included presentation of the candidates by Father Anthony Schuerger, director of the permanent diaconate formation office, consent of the people, promise of the elect, litany of supplication, laying on of hands, the prayer of ordination, handing on of the book of Gospels and the kiss of peace.
Each new deacon will begin his parish assignment later this month. Deacon Davis will minister at St. Joseph, Cuyahoga Falls; Deacon Janezic at St. Rita, Solon; Deacon Litwinowicz at
