This week, my own bishop, Nicholas DiMarzio, offered some thoughts on the collaboration between priests and deacons in his weekly newspaper column:

On the day of ordination, the ordaining bishop asks the deacon candidate the following question: “Are you resolved to discharge of the office of deacon with humility and love in order to assist the bishop and the priests and to serve the people of Christ?” and the candidate responds, “I am.” It is under this pretense that the relationship between the bishop, the priest and the deacons has its roots as the three levels work together to serve the people of Christ.

Most important is the visible collaboration of priests and deacons in a parish which is a sign of communion that characterizes the Church and fosters vibrant parish life. In an effort to strengthen this spirit of collaboration, the first ever convocation of priests and deacons will take place this year in the Diocese of Brooklyn on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Our main speaker will be Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston. His topic will be “Priests and Deacons Together.” We are grateful to Cardinal O’Malley for graciously accepting our invitation to address our joint convocation.

At the end of the Mass both priests and deacons say “Ite Missa Est,” “The Mass is ended, go in peace,” meaning that this is the time when the real work begins for the deacon as the bridge between the community of faith and the community in society. Proclaiming the faith in word and action as it is taught by the Gospel and the Church’s tradition is a commitment that the deacon understands and does in exercising his ministry as he complements the work of the pastor and the priests of the local Church.

There’s much more, so read the rest.