Deacon Steve Kramer
Signs of Love
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on Signs of Love
In my office is a photo of the 30 men I was ordained with in the Diocese of Rockville Centre back in 1994. Often enough my thoughts wander to all of the ministry of love that these men, my brothers, have shared with the People of God. Speaking to a group of permanent deacons in Read More
Writing the Homily for the Ear, Not the Eye
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on Writing the Homily for the Ear, Not the Eye
If you read a book or listen to a podcast, speech or homily, you begin to notice that there are distinct differences between writing and public speaking and preaching. In “Preaching in the Sunday Assembly: A Pastoral Commentary on Fulfilled in Your Hearing” (Liturgical Press, $34.95), it is noted that “the etymology of the word Read More
Viewing Sacred Art with Eyes of the Heart
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on Viewing Sacred Art with Eyes of the Heart
“Jesus said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Lk 24:44-45). In his apostolic letter Aperuit Illis Read More
The Power of Prayer
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on The Power of Prayer
St. Thérèse of Lisieux once said, in response to the question of what is prayer: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2558). The Catechism Read More
The Frequency of Diaconal Preaching
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on The Frequency of Diaconal Preaching
My diaconal formation began in 1989. After ordination in 1994, the faculties granted by the bishop allowed me to preach at any celebration that I presided at (wedding, baptism, wake service, etc.). However, in order to preach the Sunday homily at Mass, I had to return for an additional semester geared specifically toward preaching at Read More
The Necessity of Ongoing Formation in Preaching
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on The Necessity of Ongoing Formation in Preaching
On Jan. 24, 2023, I sat down at my computer to begin writing this article concerning the necessity for ongoing formation in preaching. Within an hour, three people emailed me a copy of the Jan. 20, 2023, address of Pope Francis to participants in the course “Living Liturgical Action Fully.” Pope Francis emphasizes a very Read More
The Deacon’s Connection with Ecumenical/Interfaith Ministry
Deacon Steve Kramer Comments Off on The Deacon’s Connection with Ecumenical/Interfaith Ministry
Fifty-seven years ago, on Oct. 28, 1965, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra Aetate) was promulgated. It opens with, “In our time, when day by day mankind is being drawn closer together, and the ties between different peoples are becoming stronger, the Church examines more closely her relationship to Read More
Discerning the Appropriate Age for Ordained Ministry
Deacon Steve Kramer 1
For eight years I have served as director of homiletics and director of recruitment at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Our niche is the formation of older vocations for the priesthood. Older (I prefer the term “mature”) men bring unique and much-needed gifts to the presbyterate. So, it may seem odd that an Read More