Comedy and Cuisine

He is like Christ, a washer of the feet of others.

Cathedral Chimes, July 1973

The Omaha Archdiocesan permanent diaconate program, originating two years ago, is now a fact, as 16 men were ordained permanent deacons on June 24 here at Cathedral. Of these 16 men, four are Cathedralites and have been formally received into the parish today at each Mass.

Of these four deacons Father had this to say: "They are official 'helpers'. They have been specially trained and can be of great assistance in the church. I intend to utilize their services in a broad range of parish activities. I see the deacons as an extension of the priests, providing personal contact between parish and parishioner that priests are often unable to provide."

What is a permanent deacon?

Perhaps no words of the Lord were repeated so often during. the Vatican II Council as "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve." In the Christian Church of the First Century, the Diaconate developed as a special sign of connection between Christian liturgy and service to those in need. Service was one of the main themes of the Vatican Council and therein the deacon discovers his identity and proper role.

Catholic tradition has recognized the sacramental nature of deaconate as a sharing in the ministerial priesthood of Jesus Christ. He becomes a representative of the Bishop in the Christian Community. Pope Pall VI said the ministry of the deacon will "powerfully promote" the ministry of the layman. The deacon will do this in many ways. He is a bridge between clergy and the laity, reminding both that the Christina community is paramount to that of the individual role. Because he continues to live and work as a layman supporting his familiy and maintaining his home, the deacon will enhance the lay apostolate by his participation in it; and will bring an understanding of the problems of the laity to the ordained ministry because he has experienced these problems.

The responsibilities of the deacon to the Christian community extend foremost to other areas of his life. He must first order his time and energy to provide for his family, secondly his job, and finally, for his work as a deacon. In that sense, he is a part-time deacon, but he is not a part-time Christian and will find many opportunities to minister to his family and co-workers.

The family is the basic unit of the Christian community, and it is as a husband and father that a deacon must serve if he is to be effective in reaching out later to the broader community. The deacon's wife plays an important role in his efforts both by her normal role as a wife and in supporting her husband in his role as a deacon. For this reason, a program of development has been formulated for the wives so they may experience growth as Christians and as wives of deacons. Any work as a deacon which disrupts family life is discouraged.

The deacons service is three fold in Liturgy, Word, and Charity. Through the deacon, people at worship are linked more closely to their Bishop, to ordained priests, and to their local church. His ministry of the word consists in bringing the Good News to all listeners irregardless of time or place. In his role of service he loves and cares for the communities of Christ, both church and secular. He may work with the aged, in hospitals, in deprived areas, in civic and community groups, in small communities within his own parish. He is like Christ, a washer of the feet of others.

In continuity with the deacon of yesterday - although radically different - the deacon of tomorrow reaches out to the people of God in love and service. To assist mankind, to foster brotherhood, to carry forth the work of Christ, to give witness to truth, to rescue, to serve - this goal of the Church in the modern world makes reordering of the Church imperative. The Church has responded by restoring the deaconate.