Happy Anniversary, Palm Beach deacons

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

Happy Anniversary, Palm Beach deacons 2016-09-30T17:40:08-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The diocese is marking 10 years since it began its diaconate program; the first class (12 of them, like the apostles!) was ordained in 2006, and is pictured below.

Florida Catholic takes a closer look at this vocation and the men who are a part of it:

As the 12 men received the special sacrament of holy orders Sept. 9, 2006, becoming permanent deacons, it was that commitment and the men’s dedication that Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito emphasized during his homily at St. Patrick Parish.

“Their sacrifices are not over, but will take a new form as they begin their ministry and continue in new ways for their ongoing and prayerful formation,” Bishop Barbarito proclaimed.

Then, he recognized program leaders and supporters for their initiatives aimed at the diocese’s diaconate program, marking a 10-year anniversary this year.

The program graduates seven more men this year, and ordination ceremonies are planned to take place Sept. 17 as the candidates complete long journeys to the diaconate. Deacon Dennis Demes, who joined the formation program sponsored by the Archdiocese of Miami in the 1990s, said deacons play important roles in the Church, especially with the overall number of priests in the United States declining over the past 50 years.

He explained that deacons, all connected to parishes, perform numerous jobs and touch countless souls “through their service to the poor, visitations and Liturgies of the Word at nursing homes, hospitals, schools, prisons and our diocesan cemetery.” Deacons also participate in marriage and baptismal preparation, evangelization and catechesis.

“In a more formal capacity, deacons assist the chaplains at St. Mary’s (Medical Center), Good Samaritan Hospital and the Veterans’ Hospital (in West Palm Beach). One deacon in particular has been very active at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. One deacon plays a major role in the chaplaincy at the Martin County prison,” he said.

The paper also profiles the men ordained five years ago, and includes their reflections on their ministry so far:

Deacon Jaime Zapata said a peak moment of his past five years was presiding at the wedding of his son, Luis, and daughter-in-law, Christine.

“When I was witnessing their marriage vows, it was a sublime moment, when I recalled my son’s baptism, his first Communion and his confirmation. Every instant in his religious formation came up to my mind,” Deacon Zapata said.

On June 25, the Zapata family celebrated the baptism of Luis and Christine’s first baby, Jaxsen.

“The sum of blessings came when Bishop Barbarito called me to serve as the director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry two years ago. I think from this position I am able to work in evangelization of so many diverse communities. My life is now 24/7 dedicated to the kingdom of God, and my spiritual life is one of praying on the task to be done,” he said.

“I never imagined living this fully my Christian call, and I give the best from myself to what the Lord wants from me. ‘Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam’ (to the best glory of God) as St. Ignatius of Loyola would say. This has been a wonderful blessing every single day, full of surprises and obstacles as well.”

Congratulations, brothers. Ad multos annos!

Meantime, for a glimpse at the future, Palm Beach’s edition of the paper is also profiling the men who will be ordained next month.

Previous Post

August 5, 2011

Divorced grandfather ordained a priest in California

Next Post

August 5, 2011 First look: snazzy confessionals for World Youth Day

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism education Education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution Politics politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized Vatican VATICAN vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was Hezekiah's prophet counselor?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Nathan

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »