Seven New Catholic Deacons

Seven new Catholic deacons in flowing robes gave a little cheer as they emerged into the chilly air this weekend after being ordained into an elite group that ministers to society’s most vulnerable. The group of seven Roman Catholic deacons, whose job it will be to care for poor and sick, led a procession that included a total of 81 deacons and other church leaders following a special Saturday ceremony inside St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica in downtown London. The permanent deacons will serve t he Diocese of London in regions across Southwestern Ontario, said Dennis Rivest, director of permanent deacons. While they are both clergy, priests are charged with leading Mass and taking care of people in their care while deacons work in the “world as it is,” Rivest said. “A deacon is going to go out beyond the church and minister to the poorest of the poor – not necessarily those who go to church,” he said. “Those who may be homeless; those suffering from addiction; those in hospice or searching for a way – they are out in the world and trying to lead them to the church.” The two-hour ceremony was conducted Saturday by Bishop Ronald Fabbro, who earlier this week accepted an invitation to view the documentary Prey from sexual abuse survivor Patrick McMahon.The film was about the journey of survivors of pedophile priest William Hodgson Marshall. “(Having deacons) is so important because the church needs to bring the sacrament of life out into the secular world. The permanent deacon lives in the world as it is,” Rivest said. “Most deacons work in the world – it’s a secular job.” NEW DEACONS AND WHERE THEY WILL SERVE: • Leo Gulikers, London • Michael Cookson, London • David Cummings, Sarnia • Henry Tomaszewski, Sarnia • Tim Raaymakers, Kent • Matt Sutton, Essex • Art Williams, Windsor
 

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