Deacon Candidates

On Saturday, May 16, Mr. David Lang and Mr. Tuan Bui were installed by Bishop Checchio as acolytes.

An acolyte is instituted by the bishop for service at the altar by assisting the priest and deacon. An acolyte is principally charged with the preparation of the altar and sacred vessels for the Eucharistic sacrifice and, as an extraordinary minister of precedence, to distribute Holy Communion to the faithful. He may carry out other duties as directed by the bishop or the pastor.

An instituted acolyte should not be confused with an altar server, nor should a lector be confused with a reader. Lector and acolytes are instituted ministries and, as such, those chosen for them are designated for service by the bishop. Generally, the ministry of acolyte is the last of the ministries received before ordination. May it please God, that Dave and Tuan will be ordained deacons next year.

I am also pleased that another man, Mr. Albert Montoya, has begun theological and pastoral formation for the diaconate. Albert is in his first year of formation and has several years to go before, may it please God, his ordination as a deacon. Please keep these men and their families in your prayers.