By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor
Updated 10-21-2024
The annual convocation for deacons and their wives 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 Oct. 18-19. “We cannot overestimate the significance of conversation – [it’s] the most important thing we do.”
PHOTO GALLERY: 2024 Diaconate Convocation
With several sessions of fellowship as well as evening and morning prayer from the Divine Office, the deacons had a chance to reconvene with old friends and classmates.
Modeling the Saints
Redemptorist Father Kevin MacDonald – a priest assigned to the Redemptorist Community at San Alfonso Retreat House, Long Branch – led several reflections centering on the act of self-giving in the priesthood and diaconate. That self-giving, he noted, is 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 discreet and hidden presence, an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” he said. “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.’”
Father MacDonald also used the example of the Apostle Peter’s betrayal, Paul’s persecution of Christians and Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son to point out how God often uses imperfect people.
“Most of God’s plans are worked in and through our frailties,” he said. “We must learn to look upon our weaknesses with tender mercy. ‘The evil one,’ Pope Francis says, ‘makes us see and condemn our frailty, where as the Spirit brings it to light with tender love.’”
Delving into the concept of sacramentality, Father MacDonald explored the ideas of the late Father Michael Hines, professor at Boston College and Notre Dame University, who pointed to how everything God has willed into existence is in some way sacramental.
“Father Hines is saying that God loves every single thing … Everything is resting on the love of God,” and that “grace is theological shorthand for God’s gift of God’s self, outside the Trinity,” Father MacDonald said.
Recognizing a Unique Ministry
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined the gathering to celebrate a morning Mass Oct. 19 – the feast of the North American martyrs, Sts. Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brébeuf and their companions. In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the great strength and courage required in the face of their suffering.
“The ministry and sacrifices of these saints challenge each of us, causing us to ask what it means to follow Christ, and just how deep is our faith, how strong our desire to serve, even in the face of death,” the Bishop said. “When you read their stories, they were so eager to leave their homes and bring the message of Christ to the Indigenous peoples of North America.”
Bishop O’Connell recognized the deacons’ unique ministry of service and their necessity in their parishes, often in unseen ways, as a parallel to that of the martyrs.
“Deacons, in their ministry, embody the same call to self-sacrifice,” he said. “You know as well as I do what you have given up in order to follow Christ and follow your vocation. You serve a Church community, but you do so with humility and love, often in challenging and demanding circumstances. You know what your ordination has and continues to require.
“Your work may not always be visible,” he continued. “I know that, I hear of some of the heroic things that 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.”
A Time to Connect
The deacons and spouses who attended relished the opportunity to simply spend time together and share advice and experiences.
“It’s been good to be together,” said Deacon Peter Downing, who ministers at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting. He said he especially valued Father MacDonald’s “perspective from St. Joseph and example of the treatment of women, as well as his comments on sacramentality.”
Deacon Salvatore Petro of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, came to the convocation for two reasons.
“It’s getting to see the guys I was ordained with, and the deacons in general, because we don’t to see each other now that we’re in ministry,” he said. “Plus, I really like to spend time with the Bishop. As deacons assigned to parishes, it’s not that often we get to interact with him, especially on a more intimate level. That’s who we made our vows to – I’m the Bishop’s deacon. Things like this help to keep that perspective.”
In spite of a busy weekend, Deacon Mark Degenhart of St. James Parish, Red Bank, wanted to come to the convocation to see his classmates. “To see them, as well as people I just met here, to hear their perspectives on what’s going on in their ministries was valuable,” he said. “We’re isolated in our different parishes, so it’s an opportunity to talk about what we can do to work together and support one another.”
Calling the convocation a chance to be among exceptional people, Deacon Joe Montone of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, attended with his wife, Mireya. “We build camaraderie, and it’s a team effort to build the flock up.”
Mireya Montone agreed. “I’m a big support for my husband … [Becoming a deacon] is something that he always wanted to do, so when we got married … I said, ‘I’m here, I’m going to support you’ … We are a team … and I enjoy coming here because I learn more about our Catholic faith.”
Deacon Gene Kotowski of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, said he, too, was pleased to spend time with his former classmates.
“I cherish this short period of time we have together,” he said, noting that one of their class of five was unable to attend because of illness. “It was good to share that news with brothers we haven’t seen since formation, to include him in their prayers.
“The keynote speakers are always top-notch,” he added, “and I find what they share is what I need to hear at that time … and it’s always a blessing to have the Bishop preside over Mass and chat with us.”
Deacons ordained in May were among those who attended the annual deacon convocation Oct. 18-19. EmmaLee Italia photo