The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was filled on the morning of June 25 when Bishop Thomas John Paprocki ordained 11 men to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Those men (whose biographies and assignments were featured in the June 26 issue of Catholic Times) are: Deacon James Robert Baxter, Deacon William Jeffrey (Jeff) Beals, Deacon John Douglas Kay, MD, Deacon Thomas Scott (Scott) Keen, Deacon Gregory Maynerich, Deacon James Michael Melton, Deacon Dominic Anthony (Mick) Palazzolo, Deacon Ricky Joe Schnetzler Sr., Deacon Neil Wayne Suermann, OFS, Deacon Jay William Wackerly Sr., and Deacon Jeffrey Kenneth Wolf.
Visitors came to the Cathedral from all across the diocese, and from other states such as California, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, to watch as the men were ordained, vested and welcomed to the diaconate. Also taking part in celebrating the liturgy were Bishop Carl Kemme from the Diocese of Wichita, approximately 45 priests, and most of the 46 already-ordained permanent deacons from the Springfield diocese.
Father Christopher House, director of the Office for the Diaconate, presented the candidates. Masters of ceremonies were Father Brian Alford, Father Christopher Brey, Deacon James Ghiglione and Deacon Larry Smith. G. Frederick Guzasky was the director and organist and the Cathedral brass was featured. Readers were Anna Marie Schnetzler and Gina Wolf, and the wives of those to be ordained were the gift bearers. Also in attendance were the Fourth Degree Bishop Griffin Assembly honor guard and the Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem honor guard. The women of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women were the greeters.
In his homily Bishop Paprocki reminded the men that they are chosen by God. “This is something of which all Christians, especially those in ordained ministry, need to be reminded. God always takes the initiative in calling us to be of service to one another and to his church,” he said. “You have worked hard for the past five years to prepare for this day, but you must not view your reception of this sacrament as something you have earned, strictly speaking. Ordained ministry is a privilege and not a right that any of us can claim.
“I remind you of this because your awareness of this should remain with you throughout all you lives as deacons,” he said. “Realizing that you have been chosen by God to fulfill this ministry should leave you in a constant attitude of awe and humility. …
“It is not because you are the most talented men of the diocese that you are here in this sanctuary today, but rather, it is out of the sheer generosity of God and his desire to share these particular gifts with each of you that you are here.”
Bishop Paprocki then went on to explain the ministries of a deacon, saying that in early days, the specific ministry was “to serve at table.” (Acts 6:2) “Over time, the ministry of the diaconate has evolved,” he said, quoting from Lumen Gentium §29. “The church teaches us that it is the duty of the deacon to administer baptism solemnly, to be custodian and dispenser of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages in the name of the church, to bring Viaticum to the dying, to read the Sacred Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, to officiate at funeral and burial services.”
Bishop Paprocki offered his thanks to the 11 men for their willingness to say “yes” to the call to serve as a deacon in the church. “It is my sincere prayer that you will receive this gift with gratitude and humility, knowing that who you are called to be and what you are called to do are all dependent on God,” he said. “He is the vine, you are, in a sense, new branches just sprouting. …”
Following the ordination Mass, the new deacons had pictures taken with the bishop and their families and enjoyed a light reception in the Cathedral atrium. They began their official assignments July1, assisting pastors in various parishes.