Hawaii Catholic Herald
Ten men in the Diocese of Honolulu’s permanent deacon formation program will be instituted to the ministry of lector this month during a rite of lector Mass at the St. Stephen Diocesan Center chapel.
Bishop Larry Silva will preside at the Mass, which will take place June 16 at 11:30 a.m.
The 10 candidates in Cohort 11 are from Oahu, Molokai and Hawaii island:
- Robert Sean Berg, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua
- Barry M. Danielson, St. Jude Church, Kapolei
- Peter A. Gumataotao, Holy Trinity Church, Kuliouou
- Stephen E.K.L. Lee Sr., St. Ann Church, Kaneohe
- Alvin A. Sniffen, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Ewa Beach
- Clifford B. Villareal, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Jared M. Zick, St. Elizabeth Church, Aiea
- Emilio Macalalad, St. Damien of Molokai Church, Kaunakakai, Molokai
- John W. Pollard, Sacred Heart Church, Hawi, Hawaii island
- Julian Taifmai, St. Joseph Church, Hilo
Once instituted as lectors, the candidates will be able to read from the Scriptures during Mass (with the exception of the Gospel), read the intentions during the universal prayer and also recite the Psalm between readings if it is not sung.
The candidates are in their fourth year of the five-year formation program. They began in January 2022 as aspirants and formally became candidates in their third year.
Up next is the rite of acolyte, which will allow the candidates to assist the priest and deacon during liturgical celebrations — they can set up the altar and distribute Communion.
The rite of acolyte takes place as the candidates begin their fifth and final year of deacon formation.