Deacon Richard Gindel '92 Deacons Richard McLaughlin, Leo Donoghue, Thomas Raymond, and Richard Gindel prepare for the Deacons' Jubilee Celebration Liturgy with the Pope at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Perhaps a few words should be devoted to setting expectations. All of these new deacons are married. They have been through a process of formation in which many of their wives accompanied them to classes. So the first expectation is that you will be meeting a married man whose wife fully supports his ministry.
Some wives even choose to actively join their husbands in the new assignment.
More than fifteen roles have been identified for deacons in their ministry. Add these to the roles these men assume as husbands, fathers, in their work in the marketplace, and it is safe to say that you can expect your deacon to be a busy man. Although the deacon has a special relationship with his Bishop as a result of his promise of obedience given at ordination, most deacons work for a priest. A collaborative bond exists between a priest and a deacon in that both are ordained to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. The deacon's roles are complimentary and not competitive with the priest's roles.