In top photo, Matthew Bove of Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, receives the Bible from Bishop O’Connell as part of the Installation of Lectors. Mary Stadnyk photos
By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
Leo Rosales said his decision to become a deacon was inspired by his parents and witnessing the aftermath of 9/11.
Though Rosales, a member of St. David the King Parish, Princeton Junction, grew up in a home with devout Catholic parents, he did not seriously practice his faith as a youth and for many years as an adult. It was after 9/11 and “seeing people sacrifice their lives for others, people coming together and genuinely caring for each other during a horrific crisis” that he began his “walk of faith.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Mass for deacon candidates
He said through God’s goodness and kindness, there were “holy people to guide me along the way,” especially his mother, who loved to talk about Jesus, Mary and the saints.
“I always enjoyed talking with her about them. Those regular talks fueled my gradual conversion and return to the Church,” Rosales said. “When the parish announced that the Diocese was inviting people who felt called to the diaconate, I knew I had to step up.”
Significant Step
Rosales and 22 other men showed their commitment to the Catholic faith and a strong desire to serve when they marked milestones in their diaconate formation journeys April 20. During a Mass celebrated in the Diocesan Chancery Chapel, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., presided over two rites that are part of the process.
In the Rite of Candidacy, the Bishop admitted nine men to prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Orders upon completing four years of study. The rite signaled the end their time as aspirants – discerning their vocation, learning more about what the formation entailed and what life would be like once they were ordained.
In the Installation of Lectors, the Bishop commissioned 14 men to proclaim the readings, except for the Gospel, during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass and other liturgical celebrations.
“Today, we rejoice as these men take important steps toward the permanent diaconate – some being admitted as candidates, others installed as lectors,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily.
“To those entering candidacy, today you publicly express your desire to be formed into Christ the Servant. The Church receives that desire with gratitude,” the Bishop said. “To those becoming lectors, you are entrusted with a ministry close to the Word of God. Let your service at the altar deepen your love for the Bread of Life.”
The Rite of Installation of Lectors opened with Father Christopher Colavito, diocesan director of vocations and diaconate formation, presenting the candidates to Bishop O’Connell.
One by one, the 14 lector candidates knelt before the Bishop, who handed them the Bible, designating them lectors.
In the Rite of Candidacy, the nine men stood at their places while the Bishop addressed them.
Pursuing the Call
Newly installed lector Matt Bove of Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, credits the now late Deacon Joe Donadieu for planting the seed of the diaconate in his mind.
Bove noted that he and Deacon Donadieu served together on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults team, during which “Joe deepened my understanding of our faith. It was an honor to learn from him.”
Bove also said he was invited twice by Deacon Donadieu to considered the diaconate. The first time, Bove was not accepted in the program because his children were very young. However, when Bove’s children were grown, he applied and was accepted.
“Being formally installed into the ministry of lector by Bishop O’Connell is a great blessing,” Bove said. “He handed us the responsibility and privilege of proclaiming God’s Word as the first deacon, Stephen, did in the Book of Acts. It is a great milestone on our road to the diaconate.”
Timothy Bergin of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River, said his pastor, Father Mark Kreder, was “the primary driving factor” in his vocation pursuit.
“Father Mark saw something in me that I didn’t and sometime still don’t see in myself,” Bergin said. “He encouraged me more than once to prayerfully consider becoming a deacon.”
Now as a lector, Bergin said, “While this won’t immediately change the visible aspects of the ministries in which I participate at St. Justin’s, it gives me confidence that my pastor, instructors and the vocations team at the Diocese support my continuing formation.”
“I am blessed,” he said.
