“As a deacon, you’re an icon of Jesus, the deacon and servant of all,” Bishop Martin Amos told the four men who were ordained as transitional deacons on Aug. 7 for service to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
The liturgy took place at SS. Robert and William Church in Euclid. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Mass was invitation only. It was livestreamed on the diocesan website and was watched by people throughout the eight-county diocese and beyond.
Alexander Vincent Clark, Cameron David Popik, Alexander Charles Spenik and James Thornton Winings were called to the sacred order of deacon. The four men are in their fifth year of study and formation for the priesthood at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe.
Bishop Amos, the retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa was the celebrant at the liturgy. Music was provided by a quartet from Saint Mary Seminary. The congregation and clergy observed health and safety guidelines, including wearing face masks and following social distancing,
The bishop told the ordinandi that as deacons, they are called to be of service to all through ministry of the Word (Gospel), altar and charity. “You are a living sign of servanthood of Christ’s Church,” he said. “You’re to be icons of service and signs of the one who came not to be served but to serve.”
Bishop Amos also reminded the new deacons of the importance of prayer in their lives – for themselves and others. “As deacons you are indelibly marked,” he said.
Deacons help the bishop and priests in the ministry of the Word, of the altar and of charity. They also can administer baptism, assist at the altar at Mass and distribute the Eucharist, bring the Eucharist as viaticum to the dying, read sacred Scriptures to the faithful and on occasion, preach.
In addition, deacons can preside at the Church’s public prayer, administer sacramentals, assist at and bless marriages and officiate at funeral and burial rites.
The Mass included election of the candidates, consent of the people, promise of the elect, laying of hands, the prayer of ordination, investiture with stole and dalmatic (the vestment worn by deacons that is similar to the chasuble worn by a priest), litany of supplication (during which the ordinandi lie on the floor in front of the altar), handing on of the book of Gospels and the kiss of peace.
Deacon Clark is the son of Ed and Ann Clark of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Akron. He is serving at Communion of Saints Parish in Cleveland Heights.
Deacon Popik is the son of Robert and Jane Popik of St. Adalbert Parish in Berea. He is serving at St. Anselm Parish in Chesterland.
Deacon Spenik is the stepson of John Kulesa and the son of Kimberley Kulesa of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Peninsula. He is serving at St. Mary Parish in Painesville.
Deacon Winings is the son of Robert and Jean Winings of St. Dominic Parish in Shaker Heights. He is serving at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in LAkewood.
After Mass, the new deacons were presented with their faculties. They will serve at parishes in the diocese as they continue their education and formation for ordination to the priesthood next year.