What does a dean do?

Everyone has an idea of what the dean of a college does, but not many Catholics are aware that the Albany Diocese has 17 deans of its own, one for each of the 14 counties in the Diocese -- with a few extra for the larger counties, which are divided into regions.

Deans supervise, under the Bishop's direction, the parochial records and encourage the vitality of Church life. What that abstraction means in practical terms can be discovered by exploring what an individual dean is involved in.

One of the newest is Rev. Edward Deimeke, dean of Schenectady County. While continuing as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Schenectady, he facilitates communication within his deanery and handles personnel issues, such as selecting a new chaplain for Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, among other responsibilities.

Transition

The Schenectady County deanery includes all parishes within the county, with the exception of Immaculate Conception in Glenville and St. Joseph's in Scotia, both of which belong to the Saratoga County deanery. Our Lady of Fatima in Delanson, which had been in the Schoharie County deanery, has rejoined the Schenectady County deanery.

Father Deimeke succeeded Rev. John Provost, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Schenectady, who had served as dean for about 10 years. One of his first responsibilities as dean has been helping with the transition following the recent death of Rev. Bernard Gustas, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Schenectady. Father Deimeke took part in the funeral Mass and has been appointed administrator of St. Joseph's Church.

Another responsibility he performs is presiding at installation ceremonies for new pastors within the deanery. He also serves as a facilitator of communication among parishes within the deanery, and between the deanery and diocesan officials, he said.

Meetings

Parishes in the Schenectady deanery take turns hosting meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Ordained and lay ministers from parishes attend, and diocesan officials often give presentations.

Among the long-term issues facing the deanery, and the Diocese as a whole, is the need for collaboration among parishes as the number of priests continues to decline, Father Deimeke pointed out. Parishes in the Schenectady County deanery may look at coordinating Mass schedules to ensure that the liturgical needs of each parish are met, he said.

With the deaths of three priests already in 1998 and the possibility of nine more retiring by the end of summer, "obviously, there's going to be a greater priest shortage throughout the Diocese," Father Deimeke noted. "That's going to impact everybody."

(03-05-98) [[In-content Ad]]