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Deacons, Bishop Burbidge meet for Mass and fellowship

George Goss | Catholic Herald Multimedia Journalist

Father Paul Scalia, episcopal vicar for the clergy and director of the permanent diaconate, introduces Bishop Michael F. Burbidge to permanent deacons and their families at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Oct. 6. GEORGE GOSS | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge meets with deacons at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More’s Burke Hall Oct. 6. GEORGE GOSS | CATHOLIC HERALD

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A woman prays after receiving communion at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Oct. 6. GEORGE GOSS | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Marking the 50th anniversary of the reinstitution of the
permanent diaconate, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for the
diocesan permanent deacons at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Oct. 6. A discussion
and luncheon followed in Burke Hall.

“It’s a great day because it allows us deacons to come together
as a community to celebrate the gift of service that we are able to give to our
parishioners and to the diocese,” said Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony of St.
Timothy Church in Chantilly, who served as lector at the Mass. “Also, we get to
be with our bishop and together we can encourage each other.” 

In his homily, Bishop Burbidge praised the consistent willingness
of the deacons to help, especially now.

“I am so blessed that a number of you have approached me and
asked, ‘What is it that we can do, Bishop, to help you at this time in the life
of the church?’” he said.

Addressing the clerical sexual abuse crisis, Bishop Burbidge
reminded those gathered of the importance of unity.

“In a time of crisis like this, it’s easy to point fingers, but
true leaders don’t do that,” he said. “They acknowledge what has failed and
what has gone wrong, and, God willing, avoid it in the future. As bishops,
priest and deacons, the best gift we can give is unity.”

After Mass, the deacons, many accompanied by their wives, joined
Father Paul Scalia, episcopal vicar for clergy and director of the permanent
diaconate, and Bishop Burbidge for a reflection and lunch. Father Scalia
assists Bishop Burbidge in caring for the spiritual needs of the permanent
deacons, and in an interview before the event, he articulated the roles of the
diaconate in the hierarchy of the church.

“The deacon is not a miniature priest or a giant layman; he is
one who serves in imitation of Christ the servant,” Father Scalia said. “The
three fundamental roles of the diaconate are service to the word in teaching
and preaching, assisting the priest at the altar and attention to the poor.”

During the event, Bishop Burbidge and Father Scalia honored
several deacons who celebrate special jubilees this year: Deacon John A.
Hubbarth, 35 years; Deacon William J. Donovan, 30 years; Deacon
W. Vincent Einsmann, 30 years; Deacon Richard T. O’Connell, 30 years;
and Deacon Kien Minh Pham, 30 years.

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