Deacon William T. Ditewig

Deacon Jason Pohlmeier’s diaconate ordination

Brothers in Ministry

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The subject of the age of deacons has been a subject of interest for decades. Most recently the annual study conducted by CARA (the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) on the diaconate highlighted the growing concern that annual ordinations of deacons are insufficient to offset annual retirements and deaths of deacons. Specifically, in Read More
Resurrection

The Deacon and Easter

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And so we arrive at Easter, following the 40 days of Lent and then the chairos time of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Those special three days of the sacred Triduum hold a special place in deacons’ hearts, minds and ministry. Most of us, along with priests, catechists, musicians and so many others, Read More
Mass wine and water

The Mixture of Water and Wine

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At the heart of our lives as Catholics is the Eucharist, the “the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed the font from which all her power flows” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 10). Recently, Lent invited us to reflect on our role as deacons in the Eucharist, perhaps never more so than Read More
Advent

Advent, Deacons and the Humility of God

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The themes of Advent come to us every year and find us in a different place. Just think back to last year’s Advent when most of us had never heard of COVID-19. This year, Advent and its themes resound in new ways. Not only is the world different this year, we ourselves are different. This Read More
garden

Serving the Suffering Church: Planting Spiritual Victory Gardens

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During the global wars of the 20th century people were encouraged to plant gardens in every available plot of land: from small window boxes in apartments to backyards and abandoned lots. Local authorities supported these efforts by offering advice on what items grew best in certain types of soil and how to protect these crops Read More

The Relationship between Pastors and Deacons

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Among the many blessings of my nearly three decades as a deacon have been the wonderful partnerships formed with pastors. Since we have moved a lot during those years, due to military as well as ecclesiastical assignments, there have been many such opportunities to form those relationships. These men have been as different as the Read More