DIAKONIA DIAKONIA Volume III Number 1 January 2017

Upcoming Events

Day of RecollectionFather Bernard Ezaki

9:30 AM - 3:30 PMSaturday, March 11, 2017St. Bartholomew, Wilmore

Shroud of Turin TalkBill Wingard

3:00 PMSunday, Marcy 26, 2017

St. Benedict Parish, Johnstown

Chrism Mass11:00 AM

(Arrival time 10:00 AM)Monday, April 10, 2017

Cathedral, Altoona

Parish Mission Featuring Dr. Edward Sri

April 23 - 24, 20177:00 - 9:00 PM

(A daytime presentation will be wil held April 24 - time TBA)

St. Benedict Parish, Johnstown

Priest Ordination10:00 AM

Saturday, May 27, 2017Cathedral, Altoona

Excerpt from: EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY

JUBILEE OF DEACONS

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

Saint Peter's SquareSunday, 29 May 2016

Each of us is very dear to God, who loves us, chooses us andcalls us to serve. To be ready to serve, we need a healthy heart:a heart healed by God, one which knows forgiveness and isneither closed nor hardened. We would do well each day to praytrustingly for this, asking to be healed by Jesus, to grow more likehim who "no longer calls us servants but friends." Dear deacons,this is a grace you can implore daily in prayer. You can offer theLord your work, your little inconveniences, your weariness andyour hopes in an authentic prayer that brings your life to the Lordand the Lord to your life. When you serve at the table of theEucharist, there you will find the presence of Jesus, who giveshimself to you so that you can give yourselves to others. In this way, you will not be afraid to be servants of Christ.

Complete homily can be found:w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-

francesco_20160529_omelia-giubileo-diaconi.html

Annual Diaconate RetreatJune 11 - 15, 2017

Antiochian Village, BolivarRetreat begins Sunday with registration at 3:30 PM and

concludes Thursdayfollowing the 10:00 AM

closing Mass

Quick LinksNational Directory

Liturgy of the Hours

USCCB Daily Readings

Daily Reflections

Birthdays

JANUARY01 Tom Papinchak05 Lisa Roth08 Dee Schuette12 Linda Rys29 Michael Russo31 Beth O'Dowd

"The Eight Hardest Words in the Our Father"DAY OF RECOLLECTION

with Father Bernard Ezaki, M. Div, M.A.Saturday, March 11, 2017

9:30 AM - 3:30 PMSt. Bartholomew, Wilmore

Forgiveness is sometimes regarded as the most difficult ofChristian virtues. Yet Our Lord makes it a necessity for thosewho wish to be forgiven by Him. Father Ezaki will provide someinformation and amusing tips on the fine art of forgiveness. Youwon't forgive yourself if you miss this Day of Recollection!

Father Bernard J. Ezaki, M. Div, M.A. iscurrently the Parochial Vicar at St.Jane Frances de Chantal Church inEaston, PA.

After attending Moravian College,Harvard Divinity and St. CharlesBorromeo Seminary, Father Ezaki wasordained a priest on June 4, 1988.Born legally blind, Father Ezaki

acknowledges that the secret of Christian joy is nothing less thangratitude. At age 45 years old, he discovered in a book asentence that changed his life, "I'm not grateful because I'mhappy; I'm happy because I'm grateful."

Learn more about Father Ezaki and his writings at:www.apologyanalogy.com

ANNUAL DIACONATE RETREAT"Exploring the Prophets & Unlocking Revelation"

Thomas Smith, Retreat Master

Author, retreat director, and parishmission leader Thomas Smith will leadus in exploring the powerful relevanceof the Old Testament Prophets today,their connection to the Diaconate, and

Thomas Smith

FEBRUARY01 Joanna Duman05 Joe Dalla Valle07 Dee Zernick08 Dave Lapinski09 Karen Underhill25 Shirley Boldin26 Mike OndikMARCH02 Rosemary Concannon04 Phil Gibson08 Andrea Beavers09 Colette Orlandi15 Susan Cronin18 Laszlo Ivantis20 Janine Anna25 Diane Lapinski

Wedding Anniversaries

Frank & Dee Schutte1/7/1960

Jack & Colette Orlandi

2/8/1997

Jerry & Lori Nevling2/14/2009

Chip & Connie Young

2/15/1969

Tony & Lisa Wagner3/8/1986

THE BOOK SHELF

The Reed of Godby Caryll Houselander

The Way of the Crossby Caryll Houselander

A Crucified Christ in HolyWeek: Essays on the FourGospel Narrativesby Raymond E. Brown

The Via Dolorsa: A Forensicand Spiritual Treatise on the

how to embrace their message in ourlives as deacon families in ministryand effectively communicate theirmessage to today's world. Thomaswill also explore the keys for unlockingthe Book of Revelation and preachingit's message to a modern audience.

"Thomas is in the top 10% of the bestCatholic speakers today. He has the rare gift of connecting faithwith life, the head with the heart. I cannot recommend him more

highly."-Dr. Tim Gray, President of the Augustine Institute in Denver, Colorado

Thomas brings a wealth of experience and insight on the Word ofGod to clergy and laity around the world, and is a repeat gueston EWTN and Catholic radio.

As a convert to the Catholic Church in 1996, Thomas receivedhis B. Phil. from the Pontifical Lateran University and did hisgraduate theological studies at St. John Vianney TheologicalSeminary in Denver. He later served as the director of theDenver Catholic Biblical School and Catechetical School. He isthe co-author of The Book of Revelation: The Kingdom Yet toCome, The Prophets: Messengers of God's Mercy andEphesians: Discover Your Inheritance. Thomas lives on hisfamily ranch in southeastern Idaho where he continues to explorethe riches of our faith.

To learn more about Thomas visit: www.gen215.org

ON-GOING FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES

SHROUD OF TURIN TALK

Bill Wingard established "Shroud Talks" topresent the history and science of the Shroud ofTurin and tackle the biggest mystery....Is theShroud the actual burial cloth?

Personal research in conjunction with theknowledge and help of the originalphotographer, Barrie Schwortz, for thescientific evaluation in 1978 make for apowerful presentation.

You are invited to hear the talk and see the full size replicaof the Shroud of Turin.

This event will be held at St. Benedict Parish, 2310 BedfordStreet, Johnstown on Sunday March 26, 2017 at 3:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring their cameras. No ticketsare required; a love offering will be collected.

Salvific Work of Jesus Christby Deacon Michael Russo

The Deacon's Ministry Series:The Deacon's Ministry of theWordby Jay Cormier

The Deacon's Ministry ofLiturgyby Frederick Bauerschmidt

The Deacon's Ministry ofCharity and Justiceby William T. Dietwig

We Preach Christ Crucifiedby Michael Connors, CSC

Blessed Among Us: Day byDay with Saintly Witnessesby Robert Ellsberg

Catholics in America:Religious Identity and CulturalAssimilation from JohnCarroll to Flannery O'Connorby Russell Shaw

Dear Pope Francis: The PopeAnswers Letters from ChildrenAround the Worldby Pope Francis

DIACONATE APPAREL

The Queensboro ShirtCompany has developed awebsite apparel store foritems embroidered with thelogo of our DiaconateCommunity.

Diaconate apparel identifiesyou as a member of clergyeliminating issues thatmay arise when making hospital or nursing homev is i t s . Likewise the logoapparel can be worn whenattending seminars, teachingand attending parishfunctions.

For more information visit: www.ajdeacon.qbstores.com

All are welcome!

www.shroudtalks.com

PARISH MISSION WITH DR. EDWARD SRI

Dr. Edward Sri

A two day mission will be held at St. Benedict Parish, Johnstown,April 23-24, 2017 featuring nationally recognized Catholicspeaker, Dr. Edward Sri.

Dr. Sri is the author of several best-selling books including "TheNew Rosary in Scripture: Biblical Insights for Praying the 20Mysteries" and "Men, Women and The Mystery of Love:Practical Insights on John Paul II's Love and Responsibility.A frequent guest on EWTN, Dr. Sri is known for his teaching onScripture, Apologetics, and Catholicism. He received hisdoctorate at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas inRome. Dr. Sri lives in Denver, with his wife and six childrenwhere he currently serves as provost and professor of Theologyand Scripture at the Augustine Institute.

The topics that Dr. Sri will cover in the two nights are:

Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey to the CrossThis presentation is for anyone who wants to know Mary better -the real, human Mary of the Bible and the profound interiorjourney of faith she made throughout her life. Dr. Sri will draw onthemes from his book "Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journeyfrom Nazareth to the Cross" and his video series/adult faithstudy "Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother".

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What WeSay and Do in the LiturgyDo you ever wish you could get more out of Mass? Discoverhow all the prayers, symbols, and rituals in the liturgy can comealive for us today once we understand their Biblical roots. Fromthe sign of the Cross and the Gloria to the Eucharistic prayersand Holy Communion, learn the profound meaning of what weare really saying and doing each week as we participate in thesesacred mysteries.

Marriage: The Good, the Mess and the BeautifulIt's easy to fall in love. Growing in love isn't always so easy.Discover five keys to love your spouse more than you did

Now Christ has graciouslyselected you from His largeflock of sheep to be one ofHis special followers. Hebrought you to this place ofpasture that you may grazeon His love. This kingdom ofheaven is your heritage, andGod asks you to claim it.

Do not hesitate to make thatclaim. Forget the past andpress on to the future.Remember your spiritualneeds rather than yourspiritual achievements. Ifyou want to progress to theideal, you must hunger for it.Strong desire must directyour will. It will becomeyours by the power of Godand with your consent.

Look toward God and let Himact beyond your ability. Yourjob is to keep the windowsand doors of your soul open,but screened against insectsand vermin. If you will do this,your humble prayer will beattractive to God. Call uponGod and notice His warmresponse. God waits for yourcooperation.

-The Cloud of UnknowingAuthor Anonymous

yesterday. Learn new paths to building the kind of unity, trust andhappiness we long for in our married lives.

Becoming "Missionary Disciples": Pope Francis and theReal Challenge in Pastoral Ministry TodayPope Francis often makes headline. But few people understandhis real vision for Church renewal and his profound insights intothe challenges in evangelization, catechesis and pastoralministry today.

This presentation will help people of all walks of life from thediocesan leaders to the laity, live out the Holy Father's call for usto renew our discipleship with Christ in ways that will transformour parishes, ministries, families and communities.

- Daytime Presentation-Vibrant Faith in a Secular Culture: Today's Challenges forCatechists, Teachers, and Pastoral MinistersThis presentation engages the challenges our parishes, familiesand friends constantly face from the secular culture - challengesthat, if not addressed, can choke the faith life in the people welove and serve:

Why do I need a Church? Can't I be spiritual on my own?Isn't one religion just as good as another?Isn't each person free to make up his own morality?Why does the Church talk so much about life issues, sexand marriage? Shouldn't we just be tolerant and get alongwith everyone?

This engaging and thought-provoking talk, shows how our faithlife today cannot be "business as usual." We must live out andpass on the faith in a way that anticipates the cultural influencesthat affect us every day. And we must give the next generationthe tools to thrive as intentional Catholics in a relativistic world. Inthis talk, Dr. Sri will draw from his newest book, Love Unveiled:The Catholic Faith Explained.

Sessions begin at 7:00 PM and will be held in the church.This Parish Mission is open to everyone.

There is no cost to attend Dr. Sri's presentation. A free-will offering will be taken.

www.edwardsri.com

NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK 2017

January 8-14, 2017

For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the UnitedStates has celebrated National Migration Week, which is anopportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstancesconfronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children,and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme forNational Migration Week 2017 draws attention to Pope Francis'call to create a culture of encounter, and in doing so to lookbeyond our own needs and wants to those of others around us.In the homily given at his first Pentecost as pope, he emphasizedthe importance of encounter in the Christian faith: "For me thisword is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Becausefaith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesusdoes: encounter others."

With respect to migrants, too often in our contemporary culturewe fail to encounter them as persons, and instead look at themas others. We do not take the time to engage migrants in ameaningful way, but remain aloof to their presence andsuspicious of their intentions. During this National Migration Week,let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as children ofGod who are worthy of our attention and support.

For Information and Resources visit:www.usccb.org

Office of the Permanent Diaconate925 S. Logan Blvd.

Hollidaysburg, PA 16648(814) 693-9870

Deacon Michael L. Russo Joan M. Noonan Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate Office of the Diaconate michael.russo@atlanticbb.net jnoonan@dioceseaj.org

Back To The Top

www.dioceseaj.org/diaconate

Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.