Deacon candidates instituted as lectors
SALT LAKE CITY — Five diaconal candidates were instituted to the ministry of lectors during 5 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeline on Oct. 13. Bishop Oscar A. Solis, who celebrated the Mass, welcomed the candidates and their families.
“This is a wonderful moment of your journey toward becoming deacons of the Catholic Church,” he said.
Concelebrants were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; Msgr. J. Terrance Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; Fr. Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral; Fr. John Norman, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish; and Fr. Joseph Delka, the cathedral’s parochial vicar. Numerous deacons of the diocese assisted.
The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, except for the Gospel. In his homily, the bishop counseled the candidates: Greg Werking, Robert Cowlishaw, Thomas Devereux, Jeremy Castellano and Jeffery Allen, as well as the congregation, to read the Bible.
“Today, as we welcome the five candidates for the diaconate, it is a great reminder for all of us of the importance of God’s words in the Scriptures, not only in our faith life but as well as in our ministry or service to the Church, to the community of God,” he said.
“I exhort not only these five candidates but all of us as well to read the Bible, to familiarize ourselves with the word of God, to be able to proclaim the good news of salvation and the good news of God’s love and gift to the world and to us sinners,” he said.
During the institution rite, the bishop outlined the responsibilities of the candidates to preach the Gospel to the world; after they are ordained as deacons they will proclaim the Gospel during Mass and also preach homilies. Bishop Solis then called each candidate forward individually and presented him with a Bible, saying, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”
After the Bibles were presented, the candidates’ wives were called forward to stand with their husbands as Bishop Solis prayed for them.
“Lord, hold these wives in the palm of your hand,” he prayed. “Grant them wisdom, strength and courage.”
The five diaconate candidates are certified lay ecclesial ministers who, for the last two years, have participated in a three-year accelerated diaconate program in the diocese.
“This is an exciting time,” Allen said prior to the Mass. “I feel honored, thankful and blessed to be part of this work.”
His wife, Mindi Allen, said she was proud of her husband, that he had been working hard in the diaconate program.
“I am looking forward to this next step for both of us,” said Mindi Allen, who like the other wives has attended the diaconal classes with her husband.
Robert Cowlishaw said he felt peaceful and ready for this step toward becoming a deacon and excited that his ordination was coming closer. His wife, Rocio Cowlishaw, said she was happy for her husband and excited for the next step for him.
Deacons may officiate at baptisms, weddings and funerals, read the Gospel and preach at Mass, and help with the canonical process for marriage and baptism.
The five men celebrated the Rite of Admission to Candidacy at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in February. They are scheduled to be installed as acolytes on May 11, 2019 and to be ordained in January 2020.
There are currently 59 active deacons in the diocese.
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