Six men were instituted as acolytes Feb. 11 by Arlington Bishop
Michael F. Burbidge at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. The liturgy was
celebrated on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is also the World Day of
Prayer for the Sick.
The six men instituted as acolytes included: Philip Anderson,
Felipe T. Averia, Malcolm L. D’Souza, Kenneth J. Galvin, Anthony J. Renzette and
Peter A. Reyda. As acolytes, they are now one step closer to being ordained
permanent deacons. The ordination is expected to take place in January 2019. They
will assist the bishop and the priests at the altar and distribute the
Eucharist to the faithful as extraordinary ministers.
The bishop prayed over the candidates, then presented each of
them with the chalice saying, “Make your life worthy of your service at the
table of the Lord and of His church.”
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge said the sick and suffering remind
us of the Lord’s living presence in our midst.
He told the candidates that people will approach you and say,
“Give me Jesus.” The bishop instructed them to respond with gratitude,
compassion and trust, and to be instruments of God’s healing love.
“You can only bring Jesus to others if you allow Him to penetrate
your life,” the bishop said.