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Permanent Diaconate Office
Saint Joseph's Seminary
Dunwoodie
201 Seminary Avenue
Yonkers, New York 10704-1896
Director of Ministry and Life
Deacon James Anthony Bello
Tel: 914-367-8269
Fax: 914.376.9132
[email protected]
THE MINISTRY OF THE DEACON
The deacon is described as “the bishop’s ear, mouth, heart and soul” (Didascalia Apostolorum II, 44, 4 Funk. Didascalia et Constitutiones Apostolorum I. p. 138). The deacon is at the disposal of the bishop in order that he may serve the whole people of God and take care of the sick and the poor; he is correctly and rightly called “the one who shows love for orphans, for the devout and for the widowed, one who is fervent in spirit, one who shows love for what is good” (Ad Pascendum, Deacon’s Ministry: Flannery, Vatican II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents I. Revised Edition 1992. P. 434).
The ministries of the deacon are one of service and charity, of witness and proclaiming the Good News, and of leadership in prayer and liturgy.
In the documents of Vatican II and in the two decrees of Pope Paul VI that implemented the council’s restoration of the permanent diaconate several lists of diaconal tasks are given…In these documents and as this ministry has developed in practice, it is possible to distinguish three general areas of diaconal ministry: Charity (love and justice), the Word, and Liturgy.
“The diaconal ministries, although categorized by ministry, are not to be separated; the deacon is ordained for them all, and no one should be ordained who is not prepared to undertake each in some way.
“Strengthened by sacramental grace, in communion with the Bishop and his group of priests, deacons serve the People of God in the Ministry of Charity, the Word and the Liturgy.”
Director of Diaconate Formation
Deacon Francis Orlando
Tel: 914-367-8270
Fax: 914.376.9132
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant
Sr. Patricia Graham
[email protected]
Mission Statement
Committed to the work begun by Jesus, the deacon is ordained to the ministry of service. He is a sign of Christ's love and concern for all who are in need - especially the widowed, orphans, the infirm, the elderly, prisoners, couples, teenagers, and all who are in need of the loving and serving heart of Christ.
The aspirant begins formation in a small, intimate, caring environment where the dignity of the individual is valued. The aspirant and candidate pursue a spiritual, theological, and pastoral four-year formation program which integrates the aforementioned aspects of formation and assists him to:
- strengthen his spirituality
- discern his vocation
- acquire a strong foundation in scripture, liturgy, dogma, moral and pastoral theology
- be an evangelizer to people of all ages, of every ethnic / racial background
- be a true witness of the Gospel in his words and deeds and at all times strive for peaceful solutions to human conflicts
- grow ever close to Mary, Mother of God, whose life of service should be a model for all aspirants and candidate
- share with his wife and family the training and formation he undergoes so that they will become aware of the ministry, support it, and accommodate the demands of the ministry to their daily family life