The Archdiocese of Atlanta welcomed a new batch of deacons a couple weeks back — and the Georgia Bulletin was there. The remarks by Archbishop Gregory struck me as especially vital, and necessary:

Twenty robes and neatly folded stoles rested on the marble communion rail. The buzz of chatter and laughter signaled a growing crowd in Christ the King Cathedral.

One level below, the deacons-in-waiting who would soon wear the vestments of Catholic clergymen crowded into a room and passed the time keeping butterflies at bay by snacking on vegetables and dip and a mix of nuts and chocolate.

A friendly face in the form of Father Victor Galier appeared at 6:47 p.m.

“Like lambs to the slaughter,” joked Father Galier, the men’s teacher of two years, spiritual counselor and retreat leader. He quickly moved from man to man, hugging each. “I’m happy for you guys,” he said. He wrote and took pictures of the ordination for his blog, PadreVic.

Minutes later, the powerful pipe organ in the cathedral filled the mother church of the Atlanta Archdiocese and the 20 men ended their five years of studies and prayer to become the newest ministers of charity, as permanent deacons are called.

“He’s in love with the church, absolutely in love with the church. I’m sharing my husband with the church. It’s really cool. I’m very excited for him,” said Fran Thibodeau, whose husband, Richard, was among the new permanent deacons.

Permanent deacons are a growing segment of clergy in the Atlanta Archdiocese and are soon to outnumber priests. The number of permanent deacons has grown 30 percent in the last six years.

The Feb. 8 Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory with Archbishop-emeritus John F. Donoghue and two dozen priests as concelebrants and scores of deacons assisting and attending.

During the ordination, each man promised obedience and respect to the archbishop and his successors. All of them lay prostrate in the aisle of the church as the worshippers prayed for blessings on the men. Finally, the archbishop handed to each man the Gospels with the mandate: “Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”

A wave of thunderous applause started with Archbishop Gregory and washed over the new deacons as the ritual ended.

Archbishop Gregory reminded the deacons that after the pomp of the ceremony ended, they must find people living on the margins of society.

“As deacons, you must devote yourselves to the care of the poor, the lonely, the disenfranchised, and the forgotten. These people can be found in every community. They are members of every race. As deacons you must make it your highest calling always to seek them out, to welcome them to the church, to offer them the same compassionate care that they would find from Christ Jesus himself,” he said.

The diaconate is “an obligation to work for charity and justice in the tradition of the Catholic Church,” he said.

He offered some advice: Never be harsh or short. Treat Catholics with the respect they deserve. Offer the Catholic faith undiluted. Be reverent at baptisms, weddings and funerals. Work cooperatively with pastors. Develop a deep prayer life.

However, the archbishop told them their first priority is their families, the “noble women” who are their wives, and their work outside of the church.

Their new service as deacons will be more successful only if they keep those priorities in order, he said.

Deacon Loris Sinanian, director of formation for the diaconate, said the men represent four ethnic groups “and Alabama,” a joke which brought the house down. They are to serve in 17 parishes.

More of the deacons’ wives participated in the program than ever with nine earning a designation as a master catechist, he said. The men grew into a community.

“They struggled with the illness of their brothers in formation, the loss of others, and yet became a cohesive team,” said Deacon Sinanian. “They will be missed, and may their formation be an asset to their parishes.”

A deacon is ordained by the archbishop to minister in the Catholic Church. A deacon serves by proclaiming Scripture, preaching, and performing charity for others. Deacons also baptize, assist at marriages, preside at funerals and burial rites and lead Communion and prayer services.

The program prepares men with academic, spiritual and pastoral experiences. Men are either single or married. If single, they take a vow of celibacy. Most deacons hold full-time jobs in addition to serving the church in ministry. Some become deacons after retiring from the work force.

The new deacons’ age runs from 46 to 66. All are married. They work in a variety of professions, from the IT world and the steel fabrication business to court translator and the global travel industry.

The new deacons are: Antonius P. Anugerah, Kenneth P. Bishop, Terry S. Blind, Jose G. Campos, Paul L. Doppel, Bobby A. Jennings, Gerard G. Kazin, Arthur Lerma, Dale F. Lister, Thomas J. Metzger, Edward M. Patterson, Gregory L. Pecore, John R. Peterson, Stephen P. Ponichtera, John D. Puetz, Edward D. Rademacher, Thomas J. Ryan, David C. Sandlin, Steve Swope and Richard R. Thibodeau.

You can read more about them at the Bulletin link. Welcome, brothers! And congratulations!

You can also check out this blog, PadreVic, for more pictures and a personal account of the the event.

UPDATE: A jolly hello to all Whispers addicts who are dropping by The Bench. As usual Rocco’s take on this vocation is both appreciative and sharp.

Top photo: by Father Victor Galier, PadreVic

Second photo: by Michael Alexander, Georgia Bulletin