Spanish-speaking diaconate class takes major step in formation

METUCHEN — “God chooses you for this task and that’s something to celebrate,” said Bishop James F. Checchio to the 15 prospective deacons seated before him at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Feb. 20.
 

“Meditate on the Word constantly… show forth to people Jesus Christ, always Jesus, and what he wants to give to that person in front of you,” he told the members of the diocese’s first all-Spanish-speaking diaconate class gathered for the Rite for Institution of Lectors.   
 

Deacon Stephen F. Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, explained the creation of this first Spanish-speaking deacon class was made at the behest of Bishop Checchio because of the growth of Catholics of Hispanic descent in the diocese.
 

“At the current moment, the diocese has only a handful of Spanish-speaking deacons,” said Deacon Kern. “Should God will that all 15 of these men make it through formation to ordination next year, it will be a tremendous boon, not only to our Spanish-speaking Catholics, but to the entire diocese.”
 

As lectors, the men will proclaim the readings from Scripture (except for the Gospel), as well as instruct and prepare faithful appointed to read Scriptures at any liturgical celebration. In the absence of a cantor, the lector may recite the responsorial psalm, direct the congregational singing, and present the general intercessions.
 

Deacon Kern said the men have completed about two-thirds of the five-year diaconate process, and are due to complete their academic studies in May of next year.
 

“Deacon Edgar Chaves, their formation director, and I have been very impressed with the spirituality of the men in this class,” Deacon Kern asserted. “We are excited about the ministry of Word, Liturgy and Charity that they will be providing for our diocese in just a short time.”
 

In his homily, Bishop Checchio reminded the deacon candidates that Christ chose to dine not with the righteous, but with Levi, the tax collector (Luke 5:27-32), and that they, too, must show compassion and mercy to all.
 

“Mercy is the defining characteristic of God, and it must also be the defining characteristic of every disciple… If we judge others, God will judge us with the same criteria. Those are the words in the ‘Our Father,’” the bishop said. “If we forgive, God will forgive us, and that’s something we all need.”

Choosing to be disciples will make the deacon candidates “a leaven to the entire diocese,” Bishop Checchio continued, and bade them proclaim in word and action to enable others to know God more fully.
 

“What a privilege and honor,” he said. “Open your heart to the love of God, spend time daily to reflect upon the Word and pray… The renewal of the Church in Metuchen will only come about this way. That’s your job as a disciple.”

Each of the 15 deacon candidates approached Bishop Checchio in turn, kneeling before him and placing his hand on a Bible. He prayed, “Take this Book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”
 

The new lectors expressed their joy about this next step along the diaconate formation process, sharing what they most anticipated about their lives of service to the people of the diocese.

Calling the formation process “a blessing,” Freddy Perez of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Perth Amboy, added, “The most important thing is God’s call to the service of his flock. It is up to us to reflect on it and say, ‘Here we are, Lord, to do your will.’”
 

Jose Diaz of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Perth Amboy, was invited by a deacon to consider life as a servant of the Church. During a parish pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Mexico City, a prayerful encounter with a sick young girl prompted him to utter a firm ‘yes’ to the call.

“What I look forward to in serving the people of Metuchen,” Diaz said, “is seeing their relationship with God develop… recognize that God is truly alive and in our midst and desires for us to build a relationship with him.”
 

“I am studying to be a deacon because Christ has called me … to deliver his word of love, peace and announcing the Good News,” explained Richard Ferreira of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, Edison. “The opportunity to meet dynamic classmates and professors who have worked and challenged me in this formation brings me hope and excitement to work with my community and especially the Latino population.”
 

Hernando Patino, a member of St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, said he became a physician “focused on facilitating people leading healthier and happier lives. But something was missing.”
 

“It [the Diaconate] became obvious,” he added, “to complement my passion by helping others to have a happier spiritual life, helping them to get closer to the Lord. Being a servant of the Church and bringing the Gospel everywhere I go are the major drivers for me to aspire to become a deacon.”