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Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese

News of the Diocese

April 20, 2023

Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese
Newly ordained deacon begins ministry of service in diocese

Deacon Michael Garvin, a fourth-year student at Saint Mary Seminary, made history on April 15 when he was the first man ordained by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost. His ordination took place in the presence of Bishop Edward Malesic in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

Concelebrants for the liturgy included the new deacon’s pastor, Father Steve Brunovsky of St. Hilary Parish in Fairlawn, as well as Father Mark Latcovich, president/rector of the seminary, and several others.

Deacon Garvin will assist the bishop and priests of the diocese at the Eucharist, distributing Holy Communion, witnessing and blessing marriages, proclaiming the Gospel and preaching, presiding at funerals and engaging in ministries of charity.

(See photo gallery above.)

“A deacon is not a server of food and drink,” Bishop Woost said. “He is a minister of God. He serves mysteries.”

In his homily, Bishop Woost noted that a likeness of St. Stephen – the first deacon and a martyr in the early Church – is affixed to the front of the cathedral ambo from which he spoke.

“Everyone who proclaims, speaks or sings from this ambo stands on his shoulders,” he said of St. Stephen, who was chosen for his role to assist the apostles so they could do Jesus’ work.

He noted that the new deacon was ordained to fill a need. “We trust God and he always responds to our needs. Through, in and by the risen Christ, Michael (Deacon Garvin), like Stephen will serve,” Bishop Woost said.

“Today you don’t just receive the sacrament of holy orders; you become the sacrament of holy orders. You become a living icon of the risen Lord in our midst. It’s a daunting task. Always remember how you got here,” he told the new deacon.

Prior to the ordination, Bishop Woost asked if the diaconal candidate was prepared for his new ministry. Father Latcovich, speaking on behalf of the seminary faculty and formators, assured the bishop that he was ready.

“I wasn’t asking Father Latcovich for his personal opinion, nor was he giving it. He testified that you (Deacon Garvin) got here with the loving support of family and friends, with grace and help. This body of faith shaped, formed, challenged and tested you,” he added. “You’ve been found worthy.”

He said before ordination, God asks the candidate for his permission to grace him. “You must publicly express your fiat, your willingness,” the bishop said. Then, the candidate is asked a series of other questions about future commitments involved in his ministry. These include service, beliefs, lifestyle and conversion.

The rite of ordination also includes election of the candidate, during which the candidate is presented to the congregation and receives the consent of the people. The candidate then makes his promises and lays on the floor of the cathedral during the litany of supplication while the litany of the saints is chanted.

The bishop lays his hands on the candidate and recites the prayer of ordination after which the new deacon is invested with a stole and dalmatic. Fellow seminarian Deacon Ian Kelly, who is on track for ordination to the priesthood on May 20, helped the new deacon to vest. Then he receives the Book of the Gospels from the bishop, who instructs him to “believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.” Bishop Woost described this as the “most climactic part of ordination.”

The next part of the ordination is the kiss of peace, during which the bishops, fellow deacons and priests greet the newly ordained deacon.

Immediately after the rite of ordination, Deacon Garvin joined the other clergy to begin his service at the altar.

As he begins his new ministry, Bishop Woost encouraged Deacon Garvin to “let the love for God’s people knock you off your feet.”

At the end of Mass, Bishop Malesic offered his congratulations to the new deacon, telling him, “I hope to ordain you to the priesthood next year.”

He offered his thanks to Deacon Garvin’s family, friends, professors, spiritual advisor and formators for their role in helping him discern and achieve his ministry.

The bishop also asked the other six transitional deacons who are expected to be ordained to the priesthood next month to come forward.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on your heads and to anoint you with the sacred chrism that we just consecrated at the Chrism Mass. There is the future of our Church,” he added.

The bishop also announced it was Father Latcovich’s birthday and wished him well as he transitions from his role as seminary president/rector to parish ministry.

“And thank you to Deacon Michael (Garvin) for answering God’s call and his willingness to serve,” he said.

Deacon Garvin will serve at St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville for the next year.

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