Deacons directed to St. Joseph as model in annual convocation
October 19, 2024 at 6:11 p.m.
The annual convocation for deacons and their wives Oct. 18-19 was a time not only for prayerful reflection on their ordained ministry, but also to reconnect with their brothers and sisters in other parishes.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to experience prayer … prayer is transformative; God’s grace comes to us through prayer, prayer is conversation with God,” said Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, vicar for clergy and consecrated life, as he welcomed those gathered in the Princeton Marriott. “We cannot overestimate the significance of conversation – [it’s] the most important thing we do.”
Redemptorist Father Kevin MacDonald was keynote speaker for the retreat. A priest assigned to the Redemptorist Community at San Alfonso Retreat House, Long Branch, Father MacDonald led several reflections centering on the act of self-giving in the priesthood and diaconate, exemplified by St. Joseph in his various roles of patron of the universal Church, and protector of the Blessed Mother and Jesus.
“Each of us can discover in Joseph the person who goes unnoticed, a daily discrete and hidden presence, an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” he pointed out. “St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. The greatness of St. Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus; in this way, he placed himself, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, ‘at the service of the entire plan of salvation.’”
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined the gathering to celebrate a morning Mass Oct. 19. In his homily, he recognized the deacons’ unique necessity in their parishes, even in unseen ways.
“Your work may not always be visible – I know that, I hear some of the heroic things you’ve done for the people of God, how much you care for your people, how much you support [them],” he said. “As we reflect today on the American martyrs, let us consider how we as deacons can live out their example in the concrete situations in our lives.”
More to come on this story.
Deacons ordained in May were among those who attended the annual deacon convocation Oct. 18-19. EmmaLee Italia photoRelated Stories
Saturday, October 19, 2024
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The annual convocation for deacons and their wives Oct. 18-19 was a time not only for prayerful reflection on their ordained ministry, but also to reconnect with their brothers and sisters in other parishes.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to experience prayer … prayer is transformative; God’s grace comes to us through prayer, prayer is conversation with God,” said Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, vicar for clergy and consecrated life, as he welcomed those gathered in the Princeton Marriott. “We cannot overestimate the significance of conversation – [it’s] the most important thing we do.”
Redemptorist Father Kevin MacDonald was keynote speaker for the retreat. A priest assigned to the Redemptorist Community at San Alfonso Retreat House, Long Branch, Father MacDonald led several reflections centering on the act of self-giving in the priesthood and diaconate, exemplified by St. Joseph in his various roles of patron of the universal Church, and protector of the Blessed Mother and Jesus.
“Each of us can discover in Joseph the person who goes unnoticed, a daily discrete and hidden presence, an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” he pointed out. “St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. The greatness of St. Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus; in this way, he placed himself, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, ‘at the service of the entire plan of salvation.’”
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined the gathering to celebrate a morning Mass Oct. 19. In his homily, he recognized the deacons’ unique necessity in their parishes, even in unseen ways.
“Your work may not always be visible – I know that, I hear some of the heroic things you’ve done for the people of God, how much you care for your people, how much you support [them],” he said. “As we reflect today on the American martyrs, let us consider how we as deacons can live out their example in the concrete situations in our lives.”
More to come on this story.
Deacons ordained in May were among those who attended the annual deacon convocation Oct. 18-19. EmmaLee Italia photo