Ordination
United to Christ
The deacon candidates lie prostrate during the singing of the Litany of Saints, signifying their total dependence on God. Mike Ehrmann photo
At Ordination, new deacons respond to call to service BY ROSE O’CONNOR Digital and Social Media Manager, and MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
T
he centuries-long history of the diaconate in the life of the Church has always been defined by the call to service. “The deacon assists his bishop, a successor to the apostles, to offer their apostolic ministry to the people of God in the proclamation of the Word, the liturgy of the Church and its works of charity,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said in his homily Nov. 15 before ordaining nine new deacons. And yet, the Bishop said, to be a deacon is about more than just performing tasks. He explained, “The deacon responds
to a call to be deeply, personally united to Jesus Christ who serves, to be deeply, personally represent in a visible way Jesus Christ who serves, to take the whole of his life – his marriage, his family, his profession – a deeply, personal witness to Jesus Christ who serves. In his ordination, all of these things become a ministry of service to, for and with Jesus Christ who serves.” The Ordination Mass of the 2025 Class of Deacons drew loved ones, well-wishers and scores of clergy to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold. Hailing from throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the Diocese’s newest deacons and their parishes are: Anthony Cullen, St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel; James D. de Poortere, Continued on 20
December 2025
THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 19