On Saturday, June 16, Bishop Kevin W. Vann of the Diocese of Fort Worth — and a priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois — ordained 14 men to the sacred diaconate. The ordination Mass took place at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.

Members of the Deacon Class of 2012 are:

• Deacon David S. Bohnenstiehl of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville who will serve at St. Paul Parish, Highland;

• Deacon Sean A. Caveny of St. Joseph Parish in Benld who will serve at Holy Family Parish, Litchfield;

• Deacon Harry L. Cramer of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Quincy who will serve at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Quincy;

• Deacon Robert F. Crosby of St. Jerome Parish in Troy who will serve at that parish;

• Deacon James R. Hill of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville who will serve at that parish;

• Deacon Leland B. Johns from St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Staunton who will serve at St. Agnes Parish, Hillsboro;

• Deacon Paul E. Koch from Holy Family Parish in Mt. Sterling who will serve at St. Alexius Parish, Beardstown and St. Fidelis Parish, Arenzville;

• Deacon Robert M. Lundberg of St. Peter Parish in Quincy who will serve at that parish;

• Deacon John H. Murphy of St. Boniface in Edwardsville who will serve at St. Mary Parish, Edwardsville;

• Deacon Gregory W. Parquette of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield who will serve at Little Flower Parish, Springfield;

• Deacon James M. Schwartzkopf of St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) Parish in Alton who will serve at that parish;

• Deacon Charles E. Theivagt of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Greenfield who will serve at that parish, St. John the Evangelist, Carrollton, and All Saints Parish, Whitehall;

• Deacon Eugene V. Uptmore Jr. of Immaculate Conception Parish in Shelbyville who will serve at Immaculate Conception Parish, Mattoon; and

• Deacon Thomas W. Wilkinson Sr. of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Alton who will serve at St. Ambrose Parish, Godfrey.

In his homily, Bishop Vann said, "I truly believe this day is not just something that you have planned and thought about for years, but the hand of God who has brought us all together this day."

Bishop Vann remembered the day over 30 years ago, when he was at Mass at the "old" St. Agnes Church in Springfield on the feast day of St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the church. "… I was at daily Mass on this day (June 9, 1978) when Father (Richard) Chiola preached on St. Ephrem, and read part of his sermon, and I believe prayed and hoped for the day when the diaconate would be part of the life of the diocese. Well, it has become so, and you are part of the living history and part of the fulfillment and hope of so many," he said.

"You are being missioned as deacons in this local church at a time when your vocation must include living the grace and gift of communio, where through word and charity your ministry will be a bridge to isolation and fractures present in our culture, which certainly affect the family of God — us!

"… Your diaconal ministry must teach and proclaim that freedom in Christ is essential for our mission, in this place, in this time," he said. "May you always, as the Pontifical says today, 'remain strong and steadfast in Christ.'

"You are saying yes to the call of the diaconate, and I could not find a better 'job description' than what the church teaches in her liturgical books. The Roman Pontifical for today says that 'May there abound in them every Gospel virtue: unfeigned love, concern for the sick and the poor, unassuming authority, the purity of innocence, and the observance of spiritual discipline.'

"These, my brothers, are words which should be a mirror which not only reflect your lives," he said, "but which you should look in every day, as you minister as deacons in these 28 counties of central Illinois from this day forward."

Bishop Vann said many people will play a part in the new deacons' ministries. "Your ministry as a deacon will be shaped, refined, and strengthened by the lives not only of your family, but by people whom you do not even know yet — of those to whom you are sent, as Jeremiah would say.

"These are people whom you do not know yet, who in God's providence, are waiting for your paths to cross theirs. This is, as the ritual says for today — a moment when 'by the example of your way of life, you may inspire the imitation of the holy people.'

"Your lives and ministry will bring a sacramental presence to where it has never been before, or where it has been lost," he said. "As deacons, live the reality of the Word of God not just as matter on a page, but as a living reality that surrounds you and forms you daily. Then, the ministry of charity will be ever more clear and strong."

Of the 14 new deacons ordained by Bishop Vann, 13 are married while one, Deacon Caveny, is single and now committed to celibacy. Another class of deacon aspirants — that also currently includes 14 men — is set to be ordained in 2016.

Now that these men are ordained deacons they will assist at liturgies where they will proclaim the Gospel and will be permitted to preach at Mass. They will also be able to baptize, witness marriages and preside at wake services and graveside services. In addition, much of a deacon's ministry is servant leadership in works of charity and justice.

Following the ordination Mass a reception was held in the new deacons' honor. All the newly ordained men will begin their official assignments on July 1.