Two men studying at Saint Mary Seminary will be ordained as transitional deacons by Bishop Nelson Perez during a Mass at 10 a.m. April 6 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland.
Those to be ordained are Joshua James Cochrac, St. Mary of the Falls Parish, Olmsted Falls, son of Gwen and the late Raymond Cochrac of Olmsted Falls, and Joseph Patrick Robinson, Mary Queen of the Apostles Parish, Brook Park, son of Timothy and Faith Robinson of Brook Park.
Ordination to the diaconate is another step in the journey toward ordination to the priesthood. These two men will minister as deacons while continuing their studies and formation for priestly ministry.
Deacons assist the bishop and his priests in the ministry of the Word, of the altar and of charity, showing themselves to be servants to all. Ordained deacons administer baptism, assist at the altar at Mass and distribute the Eucharist, bring the Eucharist as viaticum to the dying, read the sacred Scriptures to the faithful and, on occasion, preach. They also preside at the Church’s public prayer, administer sacramentals, assist at and bless marriages and officiate at funeral and burial rites.