Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, November 08, 2002 Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories Cathedral, Metroplex celebration reflects on service; resumption of formation program announced By Lou Jacquet LIBERTY— It was a night of joy, reflection, camaraderie, good news and fine food as the permanent deacons of the Diocese of Youngstown gathered to mark the 25th anniversary of their service to the Diocese of Youngstown. The event began with a 4 p.m. Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Columba Cathedral, a one-hour service concelebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, retired auxiliary Bishop Benedict C. Franzetta, and some 20 diocesan priests. Deacon Ray Hatala, associate director (with his wife, Sue) of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Office, assisted and read the Gospel. Deacon Ron Reolfi of North Canton St. Paul took the place on the altar of Deacon Ronald Sherwood, from the first diaconate class in 1977, who was unable to attend for health reasons. The permanent deacons took up the first four rows of the cathedral on the Elm Street side. Sixty-seven men currently serve in that ministry in the diocese; sixty were in attendance. Seven deacons who have died were remembered during the General Intercessions: Eugene Basile, Jack Vaughan, Thomas Cihon, Stephen Pytlik, Cletus Faust, Earl Neikirk, and Edgar Cobett. In his homily, Bishop Tobin reflected on the Good News of the Gospel and the good news that a new formation program for permanent deacons in the diocese will be launched. The bishop has appointed a committee – comprised of deacons, their wives, pastors, members of religious communities, and members of the diocesan staff – to study the documents of the Church related to the permanent diaconate and to “make recommendations for the restoration, the renewal of the permanent diaconate in this diocese.” “There are, of course, many different options, many ways we can go,” he told those present. “There are many questions that will have to be considered. We don’t yet know what the timeline will be or what the committee will finally recommend. I do know we are strongly committed to having an excellent formation program for permanent deacons in the future, as indeed we have had in the past.” Bishop Tobin asked for prayers that God might “bless this very important and good work we are about to undertake together.” The bishop then turned to two questions: “What do deacons do? What is the exact nature of their ministry?” Second, “Why do deacons do what they do?” The exact nature of the ministry of deacon can be found in the Rite of Ordination for Deacons, he pointed out. They are to make themselves servants of all. They are to help the bishop and priests at the altar and in their service. They are to do so in a way that they will be “recognized as disciples of Christ who came to serve, not to be served.” “This is the heart and soul of the permanent diaconate,” the bishop added. “Deacons are servants of Christ and his people.” They serve with humility, generosity and obedience … in many different services, programs and ministries.” Why do they serve? “Certainly there is no obligation for anyone to become a deacon,” the bishop said. “No one is forced to do so. They don’t do it for any special recognition or power, and surely not for any additional money.” Rather, they do it to fulfill the command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind … and you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” the bishop explained. “They do it to live out the command to love” because they have been chosen by God rather than the other way around. Concluding with the thought that “we also fondly remember our deacons who have died, who are now serving at the throne of God in heaven,” Bishop Tobin thanked the spouses and families of the deacons for their support of the program through the years. He said: “Our deacons are good and holy men. They are true gifts and blessings to our diocesan Church. Today we pray that God will continue to bless you, my brothers, and that He will bring to completion in you the very good work He has begun.” The celebration then moved to the Holiday Inn Metroplex here for a relaxed evening of food, music and memories. Msgr. John Zuraw, executive director of the diocesan department of Clergy and Religious Services, served as master of ceremonies. Bishop Franzetta gave the invocation, “recognizing the sacrifices that have been incumbent upon [the deacons] in order to fulfill their ministries while they are also fulfilling their obligation to their families and workplaces.” The emotional highlight of the evening was a video presentation of photographs, including class ordination shots and photos of deacons in ministry, documenting the first 25 years of the permanent diaconate in the diocese. Deacon John Carney, who serves Streetsboro St. Joan of Arc and is principal of Kent St. Patrick School, developed the presentation. Following the event, several of the deacons spoke with the Exponent about their reflections on the evening. For Deacon Hatala, the gathering “means that we are joined together in whatever we are ordained to do.” The event, he said, “showed that we are as one for 25 years; we are in this service for one another.” Family and friends came out to salute the deacons “for only one reason,” he noted. “Our service in the diaconate. That’s what it all about.” Deacon Hatala said it had been an emotional night, especially during the playing of the video, which highlighted the 25 years of diaconate service to the diocese, some of it by the seven deacons who have since died. “It was especially emotional because of remembering Jack Vaughan from the first class,” Deacon Hatala said. Deacon Vaughan became the first associate director of the Permanent Diaconate Office, serving for 17 years. His widow, Doris, was honored during the evening with a gift in remembrance of her late husband’s service to the diocese. “We remember Jack and the great work he did for this permanent diaconate,” Msgr. Zuraw said, to sustained applause, in making the presentation. Deacon Carl Burkhardt, who serves Canton St. John the Baptist Parish, called the evening “fantastic,” citing the video and the gathering itself. “It’s good for the deacons to come together as the order of deacons,” he said. Deacon Burkhardt said that recalling “those who have gone before us,” especially his predecessor at St. John’s, Cletus “Clete” Faust, had also made the night memorable. Deacon Carney spoke of the evening as “a great thing for the deacons, celebrating 25 years but, more importantly, recognizing us for the service that we do; what we have done and what we will do.” Putting the video together had been a special labor of love, he said, as well as a learning experience, since he had not known personally all the men profiled. Deacon James Harvey, who serves Champion St. William and is involved in prison ministry, told the Exponent the evening had been “a wonderful night that has meant so much to the deacons and their families.” He said the show of support from the diocese, as well as the camaraderie of family and friends and the community of priests and deacons gathered, would not be forgotten. “We are especially appreciative of the pastors of each deacon who took the time to come and support us,” he noted. “We are appreciative to the bishop and to everyone involved in putting this wonderful night together.” He said there is “great anticipation” among the deacons about starting the diaconate formation program up once again with a study committee.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001