FAIRFIELD—“Adore the Eucharist. Sit before it and don’t speak. Listen,” Bishop Caggiano implored deacon candidates at the Mass for Ministries of Reader and Acolyte in the Diaconate Formation Program.
More than 100 priests, deacons, religious, and families turned out for the Ministries Mass at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield on Saturday.
“Fall madly in love with the Lord,” the bishop said. “You can’t share Him who you do not love.”
The bishop told the deacon candidates that they are “custodians of the Eucharist,” and that their role is “to serve and love others so they might be fed.”
During the Mass and ceremony, three candidates were installed as Acolytes by the bishop, Joseph Huong of The Cathedral Parish, Bridgeport; Joseph Koletar of St. Mark Parish, Stratford; and David Rivera of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Bridgeport.
As an acolyte, the candidates will assist in the distribution of Holy Communion during the Liturgy and bring Holy Communion to the homebound, to those in nursing homes and hospitals. They can also expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament. It is the final step before ordination as Deacons later this year.
The bishop also installed six candidates as Readers: Joseph Cann, St. Margauerite Bourgeoys, Brookfield; Stephen Hodson, St. Theresa, Trumbull; Eric Keener, St. Mary, Bethel; Joseph Klimaszewski, St. Lawrence, Shelton; Richard Lawlor; St. Mary, Bethel; and Michael Ronan, St. Rose of Lima, Newtown.
As a Reader of God’s Word, the candidates will proclaim the Word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith, and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily.
Bishop Walter W. Curtis ordained the first class of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Bridgeport on February 25, 1978. Since then, over 120 men have been ordained for the diocese. They work in a variety of settings include schools, parishes, and healthcare facilities.
(For more information on the diaconate program, contact Father Michael Novajosky, coordinator of diaconate formation: frnovajosky@diobpt.org.)
On the web: www.bridgeportdiocese.org/diaconate/welcome/
