“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God's own people.”
1 Peter 2:9
May 18, 2014
5th Sunday of Easter
Dear Friend,
In
the Easter season, we read from the Acts of the Apostles
about the
growth and expansion of the early Christian
community. One major step in
that development, as we
read today, is the choosing and sending forth
of the first deacons.
That
tradition is carried on today by the thousands of married
deacons who
teach, serve, and preach in parishes and assist
in prisons and hospitals
as chaplains.
They bring new energy to the church. Deacons serve to
remind us, too, that each and every Christian by baptism
shares in the
priestly, prophetic,
and king/servant role of Jesus Christ.
Prayer of Consecration for Deacons from the
Liturgy of Ordination
Lord,
send forth upon them the Holy Spirit that they
may be strengthened by
the gift of Your sevenfold grace
to carry out faithfully the work of the
ministry.
May
they excel in every virtue; in love that is sincere,
in concern for the
sick and the poor, in unassuming authority,
in self-discipline, and in
holiness of life.
May they in this life imitate Your Son who came, not to be served
but to serve, and one day reign with Him in heaven.
Rev. Peter Schineller, S.J.,
CMMB Board of Directors
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