Diaconate class of 2016 receives Ministry of Acolyte

Deacon Timothy Donohue Local Friday 18th of December 2015

Bishop Peter J. Uglietto presided at the celebration of the appointment of five candidates to become permanent deacons in the fall of 2016, to the Ministry of Acolyte at the Bethany Chapel at the Pastoral Center in Braintree on Dec. 14.

The acolyte's duty is to attend to the service of the altar and to assist the deacon and the priest in the liturgical celebrations, especially the celebration of the Mass.

Msgr. William Fay, interim director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate and Deacon Patrick Guerrini, Director of Diaconal Life and Ministry were present for the celebration.

The new acolytes are: Paul Breadmore, Light of Christ Collaborative with St. Bridget Parish, Abington, and Holy Ghost Parish, Whitman; Joseph Cooley, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Woburn; Charles Hanafin, St. Margaret Parish, Burlington; John Kobrenski, Methuen Catholic Collaborative with St. Lucy Parish and St. Monica Parish of Methuen; and John Koza, St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish, Danvers.

In his homily, Bishop Uglietto urged the men to remember that, as we start this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are called to respond to the great mercy of God.

He reminded the candidates that, as they assist at the Mass in their new appointment as acolytes in the Advent season and throughout the jubilee year, they should remember that, "the Eucharist is the triumph of life. The Eucharist is the celebration of that merciful love of Jesus Christ."

The Ministry of Acolyte is the third step in the journey towards ordination to the permanent diaconate. The men began the program as aspirants in September 2012. They were elevated to candidates after their first year. The candidates were installed as lectors one year later. Now in their fourth year of formation, study and discernment, these men have become acolytes.

For more information about the ministry of the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Boston, visit www.bostondiaconate.org, or contact Deacon Christopher Connelly of the Office of Diaconal Formation, at DeaconChristopher_Connelly@racb.org.