Congratulations Deacon Chris Peschel!

This morning Bishop George Coleman ordained our brother Chris Peschel as a Deacon at Saint Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. Fathers Conn and Pignato and I concelebrated the Mass. In the course of his homily, Bishop Coleman preached the following words from the Rite of Ordination of a Deacon:

"Strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, he will help the Bishop and his priests in the ministry of the word, of the altar, and of charity, showing himself to be a servant to all. As a minister of the altar, he will proclaim the Gospel, prepare the sacrifice, and distribute the Lord's Body and Blood to the faithful. 

"Furthermore, it will be his duty, at the Bishop's direction, to exhort believers and unbelievers alike and to instruct them in holy doctrine. He will preside over public prayer, administer Baptism, assist at and bless Marriages, bring Viaticum to the dying, and conduct funeral rites. 

"Consecrated by the laying on of hands that comes down to us from the Apostles and bound more closely to the service of the altar, he will perform works of charity in the name of the Bishop or the pastor. With the help of God, he is to go about all these duties in such a way that you will recognize him as a disciple of him who came not to be served, but to serve."