Six men to be ordained as permanent
deacons at Sacred Heart Cathedral

Mass will be celebrated May 30, 2009

Most Rev. Matthew Clark, Bishop of Rochester, will ordain six men to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, May 30, 2008, at a 10:30 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester.

The permanent deacons are:

• Thomas Behe of Webster
• James Carra of Fairport
• Robert Colomaio of Bath
• Dennis Donahue of Union Springs
• David Squilla of Greece
• Craig Stratton of Spencerport

A permanent deacon – most often a married man – is ordained for service within the church, according to Deacon David Palma, director of deacon personnel for the diocese. 

A deacon's ministry ranges from Service of the Word (proclaiming the Gospel message, teaching, conducting retreats and counseling), Service of the Altar (assisting at Mass, witnessing marriages, baptizing and presiding at wakes and funerals) to Service of Charity (building up human dignity as ministers of charity and justice).

Candidates for the permanent diaconate must participate in four years of formation at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry.  Many deacons complete a master’s degree in pastoral studies. 

The Diocese of Rochester has 102 active deacons.

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