The Rite of Ministry of Lector was conferred on 16 candidates for the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Allentown, the class of 2028 cohort, by Bishop Alfred Schlert, Jan. 5 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, within the Liturgy of the Word for the Solemnity of the Epiphany.
Ministry of Lector is part of the six-year process for diaconate candidates to become ordained permanent deacons in the Catholic Church. The 2028 cohort soon begins their third year of formation.
During the Liturgy of the Word, Carol Neher, parishioner of Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally and wife of diaconate candidate Patrick Neher, read the first and second readings. Linda MacGill served as cantor. Deacon Rick Lanciano read the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-12), which describes the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem to worship Jesus after His birth.
The Institution of the Lectors followed, with each candidate kneeling before Bishop Schlert, placing his hands upon the Bible, and the Bishop conferring the ministry on them and instructing them to “be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.”
During his remarks, Bishop Schlert urged candidates to meditate on the Word of God, proclaim the Word of God to others, and manifest Christ to an unbelieving world.
“Every time the Scriptures are proclaimed at Mass, the invisible God becomes visible,” said Bishop Schlert.
“Do your part to manifest Christ to an unbelieving world,” he said, through upholding Scripture and apostolic tradition.
In closing, Bishop Schlert thanked the diaconate candidates and their families, especially the spouses, for their “generosity and service to the Church.”
Music throughout was provided by Beverly McDevitt, organist and Diocesan Director of Music;and Schola, comprised of members of the Diocesan and Cathedral Choirs.
Candidate Keith Davis, a parishioner of St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, calls his diaconate formation “the honor of my life.”
Davis expressed great appreciation for his cohort. “I never met 15 guys I'd rather hang out with,”he said. He looks forward to eventually “serving wherever I am called.”
“It's a great milestone in my life,” said candidate Linson Tomy, a parishioner of the Cathedral. “I never thought a couple years back I would be here.”
Of his diaconate journey, Tomy said he looks forward to loving God and being “an instrument in His hands, whatever He wants me to do.”
The cohort’s formation began in March 2022 with a period of aspirancy, where they grew in their understanding of the diaconate. Each aspirant began regular meetings with a spiritual director and formation advisor, both diocesan priests.
They also started online education through St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, Rochester, N.Y., taking coursework that will eventually lead to master’s degrees in pastoral studies.
During aspirancy, the cohort selected Blessed Carlo Acutis as its patron. Blessed Carlo is the Italian teenager who documented Eucharistic miracles and approved Marian apparitions on a website he designed before his death from leukemia in 2006. He will be canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday, April 27.
The cohort had the opportunity to meet the mother of its patron, Antonia Acutis, in October 2023 at Malvern Retreat House. Cohort members served at a Mass with her and were in attendance as she addressed an audience of over 1,000 people.
In March 2024, the cohort was welcomed by Bishop Schlert as formal candidates for the permanent diaconate.
The candidacy period includes pastoral formation with periodic assignments at other parishes to broaden their experiences, as well as continued spiritual and academic formation.
This cohort, God-willing, will be ordained as permanent deacons in August 2028.
By Gia Myers
Photo by Ed Koskey
