HOLY ORDERS

HOLY ORDERS

“Christ is knocking very hard at many hearts, looking for young people like you to send into the vineyard where an abundant harvest is ready.”

St. John Paul II

Responding to the call of Christ to be a priest is an exciting challenge today.  Being a Spiritual Father and Spiritual Healer to those entrusted to your care takes courage! Being a priest today brings with it the knowledge that you are not alone, that with Christ and the love and support of the believing community you will make a profound difference in the lives of all those you come into contact with. We have only one life, if that life is lived out as a priest then it will be a life well spent! If you have any questions or if you would like to meet with the Director of Vocations please do not hesitate to make contact. It takes courage to make that first step, so it is important to know that any contact you make will be in strict confidence and will put you under no obligation.

Do you feel called to be a priest in the Diocese of Kerry? If so please contact our Diocesan Vocation Directors – details below.  There are two men studying for the priesthood for the diocese at the present time.  The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, let us pray to the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.

For information on Vocations in the diocese of Kerry please contact:

Rev. Conor Bradley,

PERMENANT DIACONATE:

The Ministry of Deacon was introduced in the Diocese of Kerry on Sunday Sept 13th  2009 by Bishop Bill Murphy.

The role of the Permanent Deacon involves three major areas of ministry: Liturgy, Sacred Scripture and Charity.

1. Liturgy.
(a) Preparation for the sacraments and officiating at Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.
(b) Distributing the Eucharist at Parish Liturgies and bringing the Eucharist to the sick and dying.
(c) Presiding at Benediction and other prayer services.

2. Sacred Scripture.
(a) Proclaiming the Gospel and Preaching.
(b) Promoting Bible Reading and Study.
(c) Providing opportunities for Religious Education for all age groups.

3. Charity.
(a) Ministering to the poor and marginalised.
(b) Visiting the sick.
(c) Visiting those in Prison.

Who can become a Deacon?
Applicants should be men of faith and of good character, disposed and willing to give the required time and effort to the Diaconate Formation Program.
1. Candidates must be men of strong faith and devotion to the Church.
2. Married men should be between the ages of 35-60 and single men between 25-60. In the case of single men a vow of celibacy will be required.
3. They must be willing and able to undertake a four-year period of study and preparation (part-time) in Theology and Scripture.
4. They must have experience in serving the local community.
Background to the Permanent Diaconate
In the early Church there were three distinct ministries within the Sacrament of Holy Orders: bishops, priests and deacons.  The Acts of the Apostles tells us about the selection of St Stephen and six others to serve as Deacons:  The twelve summoned the disciples and said; ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables Therefore brothers, pick out seven men of good repute full of the spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.” In recent centuries the Order of Deacon within the Roman Rite, was seen as a step towards becoming a priest. At the Second Vatican Council a decision was taken to restore the diaconate as a distinct ministry of service within the Church to help renew and enrich the Church’s mission to the world.