New Alaskan deacons urged to be instruments of mercy

CatholicAnchor.org
It’s no secret that the vast, sparsely populated expanse of Alaska suffers from a grave shortage of Catholic clergy. On May 1 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Anchorage that burden was lessened just a bit when six Alaskan men, dressed in white albs, were called from their seats among family and friends to be ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Anchorage. More than 600 people witnessed the culmination of five years of discernment, study and formation for these men — hailing from six different parishes across the 138,000 square mile archdiocese.

Joining the ranks of eight actively serving deacons were Kurt Adler from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Anchorage; David Carey from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Soldotna; Les Maiman from St. Benedict in Anchorage; Mark Merrill from St. Andrew in Eagle River; William Tunilla from Holy Cross in Anchorage; and Kevin Woodvine from Our Lady of the Angels in Kenai.

The solemn occasion began with a grand procession of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, most of the priests and deacons of the archdiocese, several altar servers and Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz. Archbishop Emeritus Francis Hurley was also present and more than 40 musicians from several parishes led the faithful in sacred song.

Archbishop Schwietz welcomed those gathered in the packed church, noting that it was a time of thanks for self-giving love, celebrated with great joy in the six men who answered the call to be of service to God’s people.

This call was referenced in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, wherein seven reputable men, through prayer and the laying on of hands, were ordained to care for the widows in the early church. The second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians spoke of the oneness of community and the variety of gifts given to build up the Body of Christ.

Following the Gospel reading from St. John, which urges the faithful to love one another as Christ has loved us, Deacon Mick Fornelli, who heads the formation of deacons, called each of the candidates by name. Father Scott Medlock of St. Patrick Church then presented the men to Archbishop Schwietz, who proclaimed, “We choose these men, our brothers, for the order of the diaconate.”

In his homily, Archbishop Schwietz, referenced the reading from Acts and said, to the delight and laughter of those gathered, “The Apostles chose to identify seven men of good repute for the order of deacon; we could find only six.”

These men will serve the archbishop and his priests in preaching the Gospel and preparing the sacrifice on the altar. Additionally, they may preside over public prayer, baptize, witness marriages, bring Holy Communion to the homebound and conduct funeral rites.

Unlike priests, however, they cannot consecrate Holy Communion, hear confessions or anoint the sick.

The men, all but one of whom are married, are to remain faithfully married and are called to celibacy if their wife dies. David Carey, who is single, has vowed to life-long celibacy.

According to Deacon Fornelli, the new deacons will serve their home parishes as well as receive assignments working in prisons, hospitals, with the homeless or in other ministries. He added that the new influx of deacons helps in an archdiocese that has a “tremendous shortage of ordained priests and deacons.”

With the new ordinations, the Archdiocese of Anchorage now has 14 active deacons, along with four who are retired and serving as needed and two deacons from other dioceses who currently serve the Anchorage Archdiocese.

During the ordination, Archbishop Schwietz challenged the deacon candidates.

“In whatever you do, first and foremost, communicate God’s presence and closeness to each person you serve,” he said.

Quoting Pope Francis, concerning the upcoming Year of God’s Mercy, he added, “‘be a sign and instrument of the Father’s mercy.’”

From the often-neglected elderly who may doubt the value of their lives, to adults struggling in their relationships, and especially to youth “embattled by a secular and self-absorbed world,” Archbishop Schwietz urged the six men to remember that “all are in need of a sense that God is near and wants to hold them in his loving arms.”

At the homily’s conclusion, Archbishop Schwietz called each man to publicly declare before the people an intention to undertake the office of deacon. To each question, which asked fidelity to the duties of the diaconate, the candidates responded, “I do.”

Each then knelt before Archbishop Schwietz and promised respect and obedience to him and his successors.

The men then lay prostrate on the floor while the assembly chanted the Litany of the Saints.

Laying his hands on each of the men and calling upon the Holy Spirit, Archbishop Schwietz said the Prayer of Ordination.

The newly ordained then took their places along the church’s center aisle while family members and friends clothed them in the liturgical garments of the diaconate. Wives, children, mentors and friends assisted each of the new deacons with the distinctive side-cinched stole and the outer garment, known as a dalmatic.

Archbishop Schwietz then presented each man with a copy of the Gospel, saying, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”

He then embraced each man, as did the other priests and deacons.

After the ordination, the Mass proceeded with the deacons taking their rightful place at the altar, assisting Archbishop Schwietz and the priests.

After the Mass, a reception was held to honor the new deacons.

Referencing his ordination, Deacon Bill Tunilla said he was “awestruck, a bit nervous, but peaceful. I look forward to being the best servant I can for God, our church and our bishop.”

Deacon Kevin Woodvine echoed the sentiment, saying, “I am at peace and wanting to hit the ground running and to be a servant to all of God’s children.”