The ABC affiliate in Albany NY shows the catholic mass on Sundays @ 8:30am. It is entitled The Table of the Lord . It provides me with a wealth of information on the damage done by our current bishop. The recently refurbished churches, referred to as the "newest gems" in the diocese, where the tabernacle and kneelers have been discarded or moved elsewhere.
This past Sunday, the mass came from the day chapel at my former parish of St. Pius X which also runs a catholic school where my daughter once attended. At this particular mass, the presider was accompanied by a deacon and two adult altar servers. Frankly, I was stunned when the deacon read the gospel and delivered the homily; he also prepared the wine and water for the priest.
Surely, in this situation, there was NO NEED for the deacon (a lay person) to assume so many responsibilities. The mass was in a "day chapel" with a smattering of adults in attendance. As I see it, this is more "in your face" actions on the part of our bishop.
Surely, in this situation, there was NO NEED for the deacon (a lay person) to assume so many responsibilities. The mass was in a "day chapel" with a smattering of adults in attendance. As I see it, this is more "in your face" actions on the part of our bishop.
Do you know the theological significance of the deacon in the Church? Deacons assisted the apostles in the early Church.
Ever go to a Tridentine Solemn High Mass? Not only was the priest assisted by a deacon, but by a subdeacon, and, on occasion, by an "archpriest."
A deacon is NOT a lay person; he possesses Holy Orders, just as the priest, and bishop possess Holy Orders.
There are 25,000 permanent deacons in the Catholic Church. In fact, our esteemed Thomas More, on this site, is about to be ordained to that position this fall.
You might need to read a little more. Everything new is not evil.
A Deacon is no longer a lay person but is part of the ordained clergy and hierarchy.