Conveniently — and meaningfully — the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts ordained new deacons yesterday, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception:

Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell ordained six men as permanent deacons of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield during a ceremony yesterday St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Ordained were Gary Doane of the Bondsville section of Palmer, Robert Esposito of Dalton, Normand Grondin of Springfield, Mark Kolasinski of Sunderland, John Leary of Northfield and Edward Shaw of Housatonic.

Unlike “transitional” deacons who are preparing for the priesthood, permanent deacons can be married and have families and nonreligious careers, a spokesman for the diocese said. In the parish community they are members of the pastoral team, assisting parish priests. They can perform functions such as assist at the altar and solemnize marriages and baptisms.

Doane and his wife, Diane, have one child. He is employed as by TD Banknorth, and is a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Palmer, where he will be assigned.

Esposito and his wife, Deanna, are the parents of seven children and have 18 grandchildren. He is a retired school adjustment counselor for the Pittsfield school system and serves as director of religious education for Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield, where he will be assigned.

Grondin and his wife, Denise, have two children. He works for Bank of America and is a member of St. John the Baptist Parish, Ludlow, where he will be assigned.

Kolasinski and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children. He is employed by the Yankee Candle Co. He is a member of St. James Parish in South Deerfield and will be assigned to Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Hadley.

Leary and his wife Donna have two children. He is employed by the Yankee Candle Co. He was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Parish, Northfield. More recently he has become part of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Community in Greenfield, where he will be assigned.

Shaw and his wife, Linda, have two children. He is employed by the Berkshire Hills Regional School District. He is a member of St. Peter Parish, Great Barrington. He will serve as deacon there and at both Corpus Christi and All Saints parishes in Housatonic. All three parishes are currently yoked together.

Including those ordained yesterday, there will be 60 ordained permanent deacons in the Springfield diocese. There are 27 men undergoing training. The next ordination of deacons will be in May 2009.

Blessings and welcome to one and all!