Bishop Silva confers the ministry of acolyte on deacon candidates at St. Stephen Diocesan Center’s chapel in 2017. (Photo: Dann Ebina)
Bishop Larry Silva will confer the ministry of acolyte on 13 candidates for the permanent diaconate Oct. 13 in the chapel at St. Stephen Diocesan Center where the men and their wives have spent one weekend a month for the last four years in classes and formation.
An acolyte’s duty is to assist the priest in liturgical celebrations, the Mass in particular. The rite of acolyte is the last major step before ordination.
Their diaconate ordinations will take place in January and February 2021.
Receiving the rite of acolyte are:
- Savili A. Bartley, Sacred Heart Parish, Waianae
- Jeffrey L. Calamayan, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Pearl City
- Kin Shing W. Cheng, St. Philomena Parish, Salt Lake
- Henry D. Costales, Sacred Heart Parish, Lanai
- Reynaldo V. Dinulong, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Ewa Beach
- Sandor Hernandez Morales, St. Michael Parish, Kona
- Jonathan T. Lam, Vietnamese Catholic Community, Honolulu
- Charles W. Mapa, St. Theresa Parish, Mountain View
- Joel Y. Narusawa, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Honolulu
- Alejandrino A. Ragasa, Immaculate Conception Parish, Lihue
- Averiet A. Soto, Holy Cross Parish, Kalaheo
- Renier L. Torres, St. John the Baptist Parish, Kalihi
- George G. Wood, Annunciation Parish, Waimea.
This class began formation for the diaconate with an aspirancy year followed by the Rite of Candidacy. Last year, the candidates received the ministry of reader, or lector
The diaconate is one of the church’s three holy orders, the others being priest and bishop. The “permanent” diaconate, unlike the “transitional” diaconate, does not lead to priesthood and is open to married men.
Deacons may read the Gospel, preach and assist the celebrant priest at liturgical events. They also witness church weddings and preside at baptisms and funerals among other duties.
Hawaii’s first class of permanent deacons was ordained in 1981.
