By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

Surrounded by 169 deacons, whose brotherhood they seek to join, six men from Monmouth and Ocean counties took a meaningful step on their journey Oct. 28 as they were formally accepted by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as candidates for the diocesan diaconate program.

The Rite of Candidacy took place within a Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell that is a highlight of the annual deacons convocation held, as in past years, at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Plainsboro.

And in moments they would later describe as rich in faith and affection, the six, John E. Barrett, St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant; John G. Gilligan, St. Catherine Parish, Middletown; Russell D. Greiner and Edward H. Worman, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; Mark D. McNulty, St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake and John W. Senkewicz, St. Leo the Great, Lincroft were called by the Bishop to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders through five years of formal study.

The rite marked the end of a period of aspirancy for the men which began last year. During their Aspirant Year, the six sought to discern whether they were being called to the diaconate, learn what to expect in the diaconate formation program and more about the life of a deacon in general.

And it was with a sense of gravitas that the candidates, five of whom are married, had entered the large auditorium where the deacons – including 86 accompanied by their wives – awaited their arrival. The large area had been set for Mass with Bishop O’Connell, who, in his homily, focused on the import of the Eucharistic meal they would all share.

“Everyone loves a good meal,” he said. “Not just food but company and companionship make good food better.” Drawing from Scripture, he spoke of how meals appear in 10 different scenes in the Gospel of Luke.

And, he said, in the cultural context of those times, it was traditional for diners to scramble for the most prominent position at the table. Instead, Bishop O’Connell said, “Jesus has a different message. It is of humility … think of selflessness … the Lord calls us to be humble,” in coming to his table.

“There is something attractive about the humble person,” he said. “Jesus knows that.” He urged them to use the gifts God had given them to make a difference in the lives of others, saying, “to those whom much is given, much is expected.”

It was fitting, he said, that as witnesses of this rite, the deacons and the candidates would gather together to “celebrate the Eucharistic meal for the first moment of candidacy” and urged all to share God’s good to make “a difference in the lives of others. …” for he said, to those whom much is given, much is expected.

As the Rite of Candidacy began, the six were presented to Bishop O’Connell by Deacon Michael Riley, associate director of the Diocesan Office of Clergy. Bishop O’Connell then invited each candidate to declare his intentions of preparation to assume ministry within the Church and give faithful service to Christ the Lord. Each gave their assent and signaled it with a bow. The Bishop instructed them to be open to the vocation and preach the Word as the Lord assists them with in the journey.

In a poignant moment, the five wives of the new candidates were also called by the Bishop to stand behind their husbands and signal their own willingness to help their husbands in serving the Church.

Reflecting on their passage so far and the significance of this day, the new deacon candidates shared that they felt it confirmed the real sense of welcome they experienced since beginning the diaconate program last year.

John Barrett of St. Martha Parish said he was struck by the welcome he and his wife, Sherri, received from the deacons and their wives. “When we take our classes at the Chancery,” he said, “we don’t get to meet deacons except for those who come in to give training. We were overwhelmed by the couples shaking our hands and welcoming us. It was a brief encounter, but it was the icing on the cake of a very spiritual day,” he said.

“It was wonderful to be accepted the way we were and feel we are part of the brotherhood,” said St. Catherine’s Gilligan. He shared that his long standing desire to enter the diaconate had been put on hold while he cared for his widowed mother. “I’m pushing 60 now and I want to serve the people,” said Gilligan expressed how enthusiastic he was about having this opportunity and the comprehensive scope of the program that will prepare him for it.

“It was so good to have the Rite of Candidacy,” said Gilligan, who is unmarried. “It gave the candidates and their wives a sense of welcoming and I thought that was an extremely good thing.”

Greiner, of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, reflected on the solemn nature of the occasion. “It’s important to internalize what the rite means. It’s a recognition that we are on the path to something very special. It’s an important point in our formation to be recognized by our sponsors, our professors, the clergy and staff working with us.”

It was a way, he said, of “seeing us individually and signaling that we are ready to continue. … I thought it was beautiful.”