-
August 19, 2011
Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey installed 26 men into the Ministry of Acolyte on Saturday Aug. 13. This is the next stage in the process for the men who are candidates for the Order of Deacon.
“These men have worked very hard for the last four years. The institution to this ministry is canonically required of all men seeking Holy Orders. The institution to this ministry must take place at least six months before ordination,” said Deacon Michael Mantz, Director for the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
The 26 candidates have another year left in their formation, which covers a five-year period, from inquiry to ordination. Their ordination as permanent deacons will take place in the fall of 2012.
Those installed, and the parish in which they are members, include J. C. Ayala, Most Precious Blood; Daniel Boehm, Sacred Heart–Rockport; Alfredo Castillo, Holy Family; David Castillo, Most Precious Blood; Julio Dimas, St. John the Baptist; Robert Flores, Sacred Heart-Odem; Thomas Gallegos, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Albert Galván, Sts. Cyril & Methodius; José Al0nzo Garza, St. James Mission-Driscoll; Emede M. González, St. Joseph-Alice; Sergio González, Our Lady of Guadalupe-Corpus Christi; Ernesto Gutiérrez, St. Elizabeth-Alice; Danny L. Herrera, St. Martin-Kingsville; and Jesse Lee Hinojosa, Corpus Christi Cathedral.
Also, Richard Longoria, St. John the Baptist; Jesús R. Maldonado, St. Theresa-Premont; Arnold Marcha, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Manuel G. Marroquín, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Félix Muñiz, Most Precious Blood; Alfonso L. Ramírez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Francisco Rodríguez, St. Paul the Apostle; Armando Sánchez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Daniel P. Shaunesy, St. Phillip the Apostle; Alfredo Soto, St. Mary Star of the Sea; Mathew T. Varghese, St. John of the Cross-Orange Grove; and Bernardo Vargas, Corpus Christi Cathedral.
According to the Roman Missal states, “The Acolyte is instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon. In particular it is his responsibility to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if it is necessary, as an extraordinary minister, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful.”
“The idea is to have the deacon candidate become actively involved with serving at the altar during Mass and helping to assist the priest and deacon, Deacon Mantz said. “He should become competent in performing these tasks.”
St. Thomas Aquinas said the three characteristics of a servant are, humility, obedience and efficiency. “This is the efficiency portion that should be done with a humble heart and with obedience to the Church authority,” Deacon Mantz said.
Deacon Mantz said Bishop Mulvey and Msgr. Louis Kihneman, Vicar General, have taken an active part in the formation and direction of the program. He added a special thanks to “the many pastors and priests of the diocese for their support and active participation in the program.”