NEWS Office of Communications Contact:  Deacon David Palma  585-328-3228, ext. 1237 or Dave Kelly, ext. 1326

7 men to be ordained as deacons

at Sacred Heart Cathedral

Bishop of Rochester Matthew Clark, will ordain seven men to the diaconate – six as permanent deacons and one as a transitional deacon - on Saturday, June 2, 2007. The men will be ordained at a special 10:30 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Flower City Park.

The permanent deacons are:

• Emmanuel C. Asis of Greece
• Robert O. Corsaro of Penfield
• Robert G. Emerton of Lakeville
• Dennis E. Lohouse of Rochester
• Walter E. Toot, Jr. of Rochester
• Daniel T. Williams of Hammondsport

A permanent deacon – most often a married man – is ordained for service within the church, according to Deacon David Palma, director of deacon personnel for the diocese.  A deacon's ministry ranges from Service of the Word (proclaiming the Gospel message, teaching, conducting retreats and counseling), Service of the Altar (assisting at Mass, witnessing marriages, baptizing and presiding at wakes and funerals) to Service of Charity (building up human dignity as ministers of charity and justice).

Candidates for the permanent diaconate must participate in four years of formation at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry.  Many deacons complete a master’s degree in theology. 

The following individual will be ordained a transitional deacon in anticipation of being ordained a priest in 2008:

• Edison M. Tayag of the Philippines (currently serving at St. Mary’s, Auburn)

The Diocese of Rochester has 102 active deacons.

Note to photojournalists: Please follow established guidelines for coverage during the Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, staying in the balcony area or behind the baptismal font in the south area of the sanctuary.

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