About 50 permanent deacons of the Diocese of Cleveland, some of whom accompanied by their spouses, attended the annual diaconate convocation on Oct. 16 at the Parish Center at St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville.
The annual gathering offered a time for deacons and their wives to gather together to experience fellowship, prayer and to hear from the bishop on important topics, as well as gaining a deeper insight on the Church’s moral theology.
Bishop Edward Malesic gave opening remarks on a number of topics. He began by thanking the deacons for their ministry and service to the diocese, and to their wives for supporting their husbands. The bishop enlightened those gathered about the Synod on Synodality, a worldwide listening effort now underway in the Church. “Our purpose as a Church is to accept the good news and proclaim the good news,” he said.
Regarding the synod, the bishop said, “The important thing is what does the Holy Spirit want, what is the Holy Spirit asking us to do? The purpose (of the synod) is: How do we move forward with the Church that the Lord has given to us?”
Bishop Malesic also shared news on other topics, including the Keeping the Faith initiative to develop a strategic plan for Catholic elementary schools in the diocese and the upcoming United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ meeting in November in Baltimore. After his remarks, the bishop took questions.
The keynote speaker at the daylong convocation was Father Joseph Koopman, vice rector and associate professor of moral theology at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe. Father Koopman opened his session with a talk titled, “Morality: Freedom, Happiness and Flourishing Christ.” His second presentation brought home the point of morality as sharing in Christ’s virtues and “becoming something more” in life. He ended with a discussion of moral theology and its applications to preaching, teaching and sacramental preparation.
The deacons and their wives also shared a meal and time to socialize.
According to the Rite of Ordination of Deacons, “strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, deacons help the bishop and his priests in the ministry of the Word, of the altar and of charity, showing themselves to be servants to all.”
An ordained deacon can 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. Deacons also preside at the Church’s public prayer, assist at and bless marriages and officiate at funeral and burial rites. They are charged with performing works of charity and their ministry is one of service.