Deacons' duties expand in Diocese

Deacon Frank Lukovits, director of deacons, told The Evangelist that while the role of deacon has not changed, they have a bigger workload than they once did.

One specific ministry where they are being called upon is presiding at weddings and funerals or burials. Deacon Lukovits sent out an email a year or two ago, asking deacons if they were available for extra events. About 20 agreed to be "on call" if needed. As a result, deacons have led ecumenical events, wedding rehearsals and 9/11 memorial services.

Deacons are also taking on roles traditionally held by priests; for example, Deacon Angel Garcia has become chaplain for Coxsackie Correctional Facility.

"That is something that was frowned upon years ago," Deacon Lukovits noted. "The deacon wasn't seen as an associate to the priest."

In his own parish, St. Henry's in Averill Park, the director said he's been able to pitch in and help Rev. Brian Raiche, pastor. While the deacon called Father Raiche "a young priest with a lot of energy," he added that every priest now has scheduling conflicts and having a deacon attend some functions helps relieve them.

In addition, said Deacon Lukovits, some deacons are talented homilists and are happy to preach at Mass. Some deacons he knows even share their homilies online.

He noted that some people see deacons as impeding the laity in taking on leadership roles but believes that's not true. He even hopes to see a time when laity are allowed to witness weddings and baptisms.

"If you canvassed all our deacons," he added, "they'd say, `Finally, deacons are being utilized.' They had the faculties [to preach and serve] before, but were not always given the opportunity to use them."

(11-14-02) [[In-content Ad]]