At Ordination, new deacons called to be united to Christ in service

The nine deacon candidates lie prostrate on the floor during the singing of the Litany of Saints. Rose O’Connor photos

The centuries-long history of the diaconate in the life of the Church has always had the call to service at its core.

“The deacon assists his bishop, a successor to the apostles, to offer their apostolic ministry to the people of God in the proclamation of the Word, the liturgy of the Church and its works of charity,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said in his homily Nov. 15 before ordaining nine new deacons.

And yet, the Bishop said, to be a deacon is about more than just performing tasks. He explained, “The deacon responds to a call to be deeply, personally united to Jesus Christ who serves, to deeply, personally represent in a visible way Jesus Christ who serves, to take the whole of his life – his marriage, his family, his profession – a deeply, personal witness to Jesus Christ who serves. In his ordination, all of these things become a ministry of service to, for and with Jesus Christ who serves.”

PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Permanent Diaconate Ordination

The Ordination Mass of the 2025 Class of Deacons drew loved ones, well-wishers and scores of clergy to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold. Hailing from throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the Diocese’s newest deacons and their parishes are: Anthony Cullen, St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel; James D. de Poortere, St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake; Chris I. Ellis Jr., Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune; Gerard (Gez) Ford, St. David the King Parish, Princeton Junction; Errol Giordani, St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro; Steven A. Griggs, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting; Christopher J. McNicholas, St. Mary Parish, Middletown; Jeffrey B. Miceli, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown; John Vitale, St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro. Their four years of formation included receiving theological instruction and pursuing advanced degrees from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange, as well as gaining pastoral experience in parish settings.

Once ordained by the Bishop, deacons have the faculties to assist the priest at Mass during which they can proclaim the Gospel and preach the homily. Outside of Mass, the deacon is permitted to preside over prayer services and Baptisms, witness marriages, administer Viaticum to the dying and officiate at wakes and committals. Deacons can also bless religious articles.

In addition, deacons serve in various ministries including visiting the sick and homebound; oversee faith formation opportunities such as Scripture studies, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and religious education; participate in outreach programs in service to the poor and needy, and teach in sacramental preparation programs, such as for Baptism and marriages.

For deacons who are married, the support of their wives both during their husband’s formation and ministry after he is ordained. During the formation process, wives are welcome and encouraged to attend the classes as well engage in social gatherings hosted by the Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life when possible.

“I am excited for him. It’s been a long five years, Anne Cullen, wife of Deacon Anthony Cullen said following the Ordination Mass. Noting that her husband is the campus minister at St. Benedict Parish and School, Holmdel, she added that she was glad “a few of his students came today for him.”

Tears welled in Christine de Poortere’s eyes as she reflected on her husband’s Ordination.

“I just get so emotional. I am just really proud of him,” she said. “I am glad he’s here today, surrounded by family and friends.”

Rite of Ordination

As part of the Ordination Rite, Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan episcopal vicar for clergy and consecrated life, called the candidates forward, testifying to their readiness to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and assume the responsibilities of a deacon.

Bishop O’Connell, in the name of the entire Church, accepted the testimony, and the congregation responded by applauding.

Each candidate then knelt before the Bishop, placing their hands in his and making a Promise of Obedience to him and his successors. In an act signifying their complete dependence on God, the nine men, while facing the altar, prostrated themselves on the floor, as the Diocesan Festival Choir led the congregation in singing the Litany of Saints.

As the candidates knelt before the Bishop for the second time, he placed his hands on their heads, conferring the Holy Spirit upon them and silently praying the words of consecration.

The newly-ordained deacons, with assistance from the priests they had selected, were then vested with the stole and dalmatic, the liturgical vestments that symbolize their ministry.

The rite continued with each deacon kneeling again before Bishop O’Connell, who handed him the Book of the Gospels, instructing him with the words, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”

During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, several deacons’ wives participated in the Presentation of the Gifts and the new deacons assisted with the distribution of Holy Communion.

Day of grace and witness

Following the Mass, the nine new deacons and their families greeted loved ones and well-wishers outside the Co-Cathedral.

“This has been a journey,” Deacon Griggs said. “There’s been a lot of growth, not only in my faith, but my service as well.”

While the deacon initially thought about working with youth, his relocation to the Whiting area and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish led him to begin working with the elderly.

“At first, I was intimidated. But the more I got to know and serve them, the more I grew to love them,” he said. “God put me right where he wanted me to be.”

Though it’s been years since they graduated from Penn State University, a group of fraternity brothers and longtime friends of Deacon Miceli were among those in the congregation.

“The writing was on the wall,” Dan Morris said upon learning about Jeff’s intention to be a deacon. “I think the world of Jeff. He’s great person and his becoming a deacon is a great fit for him and for the Church.”

Although she isn’t Catholic, Abigail Nicolaou was delighted to witness the Ordination of her friend, John Vitale. “This is huge,” Nicolaou said, adding, “I know his heart is to love people and to me that is what God is all about – love.”

Deacon Tony Ford and his wife, Mary, parents of the newly-ordained Deacon Gez Ford, had flown in from England with several other family members for the Ordination.

After noting that he was ordained 21 years ago for the Diocese of Shrewsbury and that coincidently, he and Gez were both 59 years old at the time of their respective ordinations, the elder Deacon Ford admitted to being “overwhelmed with emotion” when Bishop O’Connell imposed hands on his son’s head.

“He’s following in the Lord’s footsteps, I don’t think he’s following in mine,” Deacon Ford said. “I’m so thankful to God for what he has done.”

“Surreal” is how Mary Ford described the feeling of having both a husband and son serving the Church as deacons.

“I have feelings of overwhelming grace and gratitude,” Mary said.

“Sense of completion” was the phrase Nadine Ford used when reflecting on her husbands’ Ordination.

Between the many years that Gez had devoted to ministry and later with his diaconate preparation, Nadine said, “The joy I’m feeling right now goes beyond today. It’s a culmination of many years.”

Father Eugene Roberts said he and the community of St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro, were doubly blessed to have two newly ordained deacons – Deacons Ford and Giordani. Another deacon candidate is expected to be ordained next year, which would bring the parish to six deacons.

“We welcome them with open arms.” Father Roberts echoed the Bishop’s words about the deacons being ordained “to serve the people of God.”

“That is what ministry is about,” Father Roberts said, “being present to the people in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Video of the Ordination Mass will be available at youtube.com/trentondiocese.

Newly ordained Deacon Steven A. Griggs of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, receives a congratulatory hug from his pastor, Father Evarist Kabagambe.