Kathleen Doyle of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, and Jeanette Mustillo of St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, take great comfort in attending the memorial Mass for deceased deacons each year. What Doyle and Mustillo find especially heartening is knowing that the memory of their husbands and the service they gave to the Church of Trenton is being remembered each year by the diaconate community.

“I love the diaconate,” said Doyle, as she thought of her husband, Deacon Donald Doyle, who was ordained by Bishop John C. Reiss in 1993 and died in 2007.

Looking around at the other deacons who were in attendance at the Mass that was celebrated Nov. 3 in St. Raphael Church, Hamilton, as well as their wives, other widowers and family members, all Doyle could say was that “they are so special.”

“We are a family and we support one another,” she said.

Every November, the diocesan diaconate community gathers to honor all deacons of the diocese who have died, especially those in the past year. This year’s Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Thomas J. Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life. Concelebrating the Mass with Father Mullelly were Father John Chang, pastor of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, and Father Genaro Dagulpo, parochial vicar. The homily was given by Deacon Jose Rodriguez of St. Paul Parish, Princeton.

Msgr. Mullelly reflected on how the annual memorial Mass for deacons has been a long-standing and much loved tradition within the diocese.

He explained that the Mass is a special time when the diaconate community can  pray that deceased members have a merciful judgment and eternal rest and can offer comfort to the surviving family members, especially the wives and children.

“It is always a moving opportunity to remember, celebrate the lives of great servants in the Church and to celebrate the consolation that comes through our faith,” Msgr. Mullelly said.

In his homily, Deacon Rodriguez observed, “As deacons, we are called to be men of faith. Deacons have answered that call. Their ministry has touched family, friends and community.  And as we remember our deceased, we also recommit ourselves to our ministries and continue to minister as they did among our community.”

A poignant moment of the Mass occurred during the Prayers of the Faithful when the names of all the deceased deacons of the diocese were read. As the names were called, a loved one came forward and placed a flower in the vases that stood at the foot of the altar.

Following the Mass, Mustillo recalled how she and her husband, Deacon Anthony Mustillo, had made it a point each year to attend the memorial Mass with the hope of being a source of comfort and support to the other spouses and family members of deceased deacons.

“Now I appreciate how people come and support me,” said Mustillo. Deacon Mustillo was ordained in 1996 by Bishop Reiss and he died in 2007.

“I’m very touched by the Mass. It brings so many memories back of Tony and all he did when he was a deacon,” said Mustillo. “It makes me feel good to know that he is being remembered by the other deacons.”