Pastor's Notes for 4/29

Dear Parishioners,
Congratulations again to Deacon Mike McKeown on his ordination. For those interested, I have been told that the ordination liturgy video will be posted to the dnu.org website when it is in final edit format, and that pictures are online at http://cu.nujournal.com/galleries/index.php?id=301019. It was a beautiful liturgy!
Some have asked about the practicals of having a deacon (I assume he will be assigned to our parishes). As a deacon, Deacon Mike's first tasks are of service, and secondarily during the liturgy. As a deacon, he is to bring the presence of Christ to the world, and his salary is not from the church (though we may give a stipend and certainly pay business mileage). Deacons are also given facilities to Baptize, witness Marriages, and preside at funerals (all without Mass) with the pastor's permission, as an extension of their service-orientation. They also bring viaticum to the dying. Liturgically otherwise, he proclaims the Gospel at Mass, announces the petitions, assists at the altar, and gives instruction to the congregation (like offering the sign of peace or the dismissal). He will carry the Book of the Gospels (the Lector should process in as usual, though not going to the Altar, and the Lector will not read the petitions either). As a deacon, he is an 'ordinary' minister of Holy communion, meaning that when he is assisting at Mass he will distribute the Precious Blood (so count 4 EMHC's when he is assisting).
On an unrelated topic, some have asked about the ad that was in some local papers inviting Catholics to a workshop offered in a non-Catholic Church to address the issue of Homosexuality. The main sponsor of the workshop is a group that actively opposes Church teaching in a number of areas, and the fact that it is to be held in a non-Catholic Church is telling. I ask you to not go, and to spread the word. We will be having an education session on marriage and homosexuality, of course in line with Church teaching (thumbnail: Love the homosexual and call them to a moral life).
Finally, now that the weather is nicer, I have been getting out a little more. I found during retreat I actually enjoy running outside more than on a treadmill, so have decided to switch up my routine to include some jogging in addition to biking.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd