The Diaconate Mass of Recommitment was celebrated by Bishop Gregory Parkes on March 19th at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.  More than 70 deacons in the Diocese of St. Petersburg renewed their promises to be faithful to the bishop and the Church.

“Today I ask you to pray to God for renewal and enrichment as you recommit yourselves to the threefold ministry of Deacon in Word, Charity, and Sacrament. I ask you to recommit yourselves to the service of Christ and His Church,” said Bishop Parkes during the Mass.

The bishop then asked the deacons to reaffirm their promises to serve the Church with humble and loving hearts, proclaim the faith in word and action, deepen their prayer lives and continue to shape their lives according to the example of Jesus Christ.

In attendance at the Mass was Deacon Ed Anctil who will celebrate his 25th year of ordination to the diaconate this June.

“It’s wonderful that we get to recommit ourselves every year to the bishop and work with him in the Diocese, whether it be parish ministry, prison ministry, seaport or airport ministry or any other ministry that the bishop feels our Diocese is called to at this time.  He has a number of deacons that he can call upon to assign them to the ministries that make our Diocese so wonderful and spiritual and whole,” said Deacon Ed, a retired deputy sheriff.

Deacon Ed served the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office for 29 years.  Many days were spent trying to control and assess potentially dangerous or violent situations.  “The fear is real. You never know if you’re going back home again,” he said.

Like his role as deacon, there can be a ministerial or compassionate side to being a deputy.  “Not every call has to do with putting somebody in jail.  But we do act as counselors,” he added.

Deacon Ed said that officers will be with parents who have lost children.  “We have to get the facts, but also most officers will sit and talk with the parents and ask about the child and serve in a comforting or counseling role for them.”

You may have seen deacons proclaiming the Gospel and preaching at Mass, assisting at the altar, or even officiating at baptisms, weddings, and funeral services.  They serve the parish community in hospital or prison ministry, outreach to the poor, marriage counseling, or even parish business operation.  They can also serve the bishop’s ministries at the diocesan level.  Deacon Ed serves at Mary Help of Christians Parish in east Tampa assisting with liturgies and serving as a mentor in the Diaconate program for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He also serves as the diocesan assistant chaplain for Catholic Scouting.

The diaconate is a vocational call to serve the Church.  The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonos, meaning “servant” or “helper.” Officially, deacons are one of only three groups of ordained ministers within the Catholic Church, the others being bishops and the priests. Deacons may be either single or married.