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Deacon’s
Council
Minutes
March
30, 2006
Present: Cardinal Sean; Rev. Bill Kelly; Deacons Donoghue, Delio, Crimmins,
Pepi, Boyle, Turner, Spiri, Whipple, Straub, Rooney, Ryan, and
Koffel.
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Opening
Prayer: Deacon Whipple welcomed all and introduced Cardinal Sean
who led with an opening prayer as meeting began at 7:00PM.
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Welcome: Deacon Whipple asked Cardinal Sean to open with remarks as he had
another appointment later during the evening.
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Cardinal
Sean Remarks: Cardinal Sean (just back from Rome) reported on
the financial situation of the archdiocese, as he is about to make a
presentation on financial transparency. The Cardinal noted that he
plans to outline the current situation of hospitals, schools, and
restructuring, along with a recovery plan. He reported that a new
Chancellor would be announced soon and that two bishops are yet to
be named for the archdiocese but will hopefully be announced soon as
well. The Cardinal mentioned that the Cardinal Appeal goal has been
met, Mass attendance is up at its highest level relative to the past
three years, and that both the recent Men and Women’s
conferences were very well attended and received. Vocation meetings
have also been well attended, with 75 men expressing interest at
recent sessions.
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Regional Reports: Deacon Pepi reported from the Merrimack
region that thanks to Deacon Cornell e-mail lists of all deacons by
region, both old and new regions, are readily available. Deacon Pepi
will continue to represent Merrimack with Deacon Crimmins, although
assigned to the West region, in order to maintain balanced
representation. Council members who need this information should
contact Deacon Cornell for instructions and information on treating
lists and passwords appropriately. Deacon Pepi felt that without
communication to the deacons the council role is only another
meeting. Many of the council members have been quite proactive in
regional meetings and communication.
Deacon Straub reported that the Central region had recently met but
attendance was quite low.
Deacon Boyle reported that the South region had an annual dinner that
was well attended.
Deacon Spiri noted that 18 of 50 deacons attended the last West
region meeting, and minutes are available on the archdiocesan
Diaconate website.
Twenty deacons were present at the North regional meeting with
Bishop Irwin in attendance. Deacon Turner mentioned that the movie
PASSION was shown at Saint Patrick in Stoneham with the priest
advisor to Mel Gibson present, and over 700 attended.
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Questions
to Cardinal Sean: Deacon Boyle inquired about Pope John Paul’s
encyclical on the Eucharist and the lack of uniformity on the use of
the Chalice. Cardinal Sean noted there is always confusion in
change; formerly one chalice, or pitcher; now glass use is not part
of rite and multiple cups are the norm. He suggested continued
workshops for deacons to bring the proper guidelines to the parish
and to feel comfortable with new rites.
Deacon Whipple noted that he had assisted at a Mass with the bishop
and the Marists as requested, and Cardinal Sean’s hope was
that more deacons participate in pontifical Masses. Deacon Ryan
reported on the model set in the South, with the cooperation of
Bishop Malone, in which deacons would assist the bishop in parishes
without a deacon. A list was maintained, and he suggested this as a
good practice for all regions, if the regional bishop so desires this
service.
Deacon Crimmins commended the Cardinal on his recent newspaper
interview, and Deacon Crimmins noted how our role as deacons is to
preach what it means to believe, to preach the truth, to uphold the
church’s teachings, help the poor, and do as God calls us to
do. Cardinal Sean responded on the importance of truth, and of
ongoing formation faith formation of deacons, and as well to assist
in formation of young adults and youth.
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Discussion
on Fraternity of Deacons: A general discussion ensued on the
participation of deacons at regional meetings. The question raised
was how to get better participation, as Cardinal Sean had encouraged
the importance of the brotherhood of deacons to maintain a sense of
community, just as it is important for priests to do. Cardinal Sean
expressed the importance of an agenda to hold interest, perhaps have
speakers on preaching, on liturgy, opened with prayer and concluded
with sharing. Deacon Spiri noted that the deacons started an
Emmaus group that was so successful with the priests, but it seems
to have died. Cardinal Sean asked what sort of participation was
occurring at Diaconate get togethers and convocations, and 35% was
noted as a high figure. Deacon Pepi noted that 35% is a pretty good
number, considering all the other commitments deacons have to their
ministries, to their families, and to their work. It was mentioned
by several of the deacons that perhaps vicariate level meeting with
deacons, rather than regional, would get more local deacons together
on a more frequent basis, as much a monthly, and then hold regional
meetings quarterly. This would only happen if there were planned
meetings, themes, and deacons willing to organize and follow
through. Cardinal Sean thought meeting locally, or with classmates,
would be good – at least they know one another or can more
easily get to know one another. Deacon Delio queried whether even
Council meetings could be held in regional areas other than Boston,
and even ask wives if they desired to attend. Deacon Ryan thought it
would be good for wives to attend various meetings, but only if that
is their desire.
Deacon
Rooney brought up an initiative of supporting newly ordained deacons,
and inviting all regional deacons to take part in their first Mass of
Thanksgiving as a show of support. Deacon Ryan felt it also important
for deacons to support our priests in attendance at the Chrism Mass.
Deacons are encouraged to attend the Mass and luncheon to follow,
along with their wives.
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Deacons
and Wives Convocation: A general discussion on the recent
convocation elicited highly positive responses. A suggestion was
made to better communicate these events, both before and after, by
newsletter for example. Deacon Delio suggested future e meetings
would provide a list of attendees along with wives so all might know
who is going and this would perhaps encourage others to go. Deacon
Straub thought it important to know how good the program is so it
not just another meeting. Deacon Pepi noted the excellence of the
speaker and the camaraderie of the deacons and wives, and Deacon
Delio noted that the surveys emphasized both these observations. It
was noted that the presence of Fr. Kelly, Bishop Sean, and the
speaker Msgr. Caggiano, made deacons feel a strong part of the
clergy community, something lacking in earlier convocations.
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Involvement: Deacon Delio said that fraternity might continue in local
meetings, with speakers, days of recollection, etc., and the office
is working on ways to more involve others. Deacon Delio stressed the
importance of finding ways as a council to formulate programs for
deacons, assist in organizing m programs for ongoing formation and
to help the entire Diaconate community. Deacon Pepi noted that the
support of the Office for Ongoing Formation of Deacons, under Fr.
Kelly and Deacon Delio, has been an excellent way to let deacons
know they are valued as clergy, and that deacons need no praise but
being recognized as a sign of the church is important. Deacon Delio
was asked about a survey of deacons he is initiating, and responded
that this was in the works and he hoped to bring this up at the next
meeting. Survey would ask about deacon’s ministry,
involvement, new pastor concerns, etc., along with spiritual,
educational, and pastoral lives. Deacon Ryan thought a survey of
wives would also be good, so they might be included. Deacon Spiri
did not think wives would want to be at council meetings, and Deacon
Ryan affirmed that wives need to be heard and not necessarily
involved.
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Deacon
Donoghue Remarks: Deacon Donoghue spoke of the need for
volunteers to assist in the formation board in light of the new
guidelines of the National directory for deacons. He has previously
communicated this. There would be a committee on admissions, and a
board mandated to look at the whole Diaconate formation program; how
courses might be added, stretched, or compacted. An evaluation team
for ordination would be more expanded as well. Deacon Donoghue noted
that six yearly Saturday sessions are planned for the future classes
and will be phased in; this will help in the spiritual and human
formation of candidates. Addition of more pastoral and intern
involvement, and deacon “shadowing”, were other
possibilities. Deacon Pepi inquired of the numbers of candidates,
and Deacon Donoghue noted that currently, there are 17 candidates in
the class of 2006, 29 English and Spanish candidates in 2008, and 35
have expressed interest in the class of 2010. Deacon Ryan inquired
of term assignments for deacons, and Deacon Donoghue noted that
current re-assignment initiatives are inactive but remarked that the
office of ongoing formation is reviewing this; any “mandatory”
length of term reassignments, as has been done in some other
dioceses, is not likely, although the promise of obedience to the
Bishop will always hold true.
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Adjourn: Deacon Whipple closed the meeting with prayer at 9:02 PM. The
next meeting is scheduled for May 9.
Respectfully submitted,
Deacon John Pepi, Secretary
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