August 27, 2025 Editor’s note: The following is Bishop Terry R. LaValley’s homily from the ordination to the diaconate on Aug. 9. Soon, you will hear me pray these words to our Heavenly Father: “in the first days of your Church, your Son’s Apostles, led by the Holy Spirit, appointed seven men of good repute to help them in the daily ministry, so that they might devote themselves more fully to prayer and the preaching of the word.” My sisters and brothers, these, our appointed men: Gordy, JB, James, Frank, Garry, and Nic – number six, who’s the seventh? You know, the number seven is quite significant in the Bible, appearing over 700 times throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The number seven was used in Sacred Scripture to often symbolize completeness, perfection, and divine order. I might suggest that we have these six deacon candidates plus One making seven. So, Who’s the “plus One” seventh figure? Brothers, He will be your constant companion, friend, teacher. This Figure will be your Priest, Prophet, King and Savior, Jesus Christ! Gentlemen: your diaconal ministry will be incomplete, not in divine order. Your service in the Church risks being a ruse, a mere façade, without the Presence of number 7 – the Risen Christ. The Prayer of Ordination will speak about the deacon remaining firm and steadfast in Christ, so that, imitating the Father’s Son on earth, Who came not to be served but to serve, the deacon may be found worthy to reign with Him in heaven. We know that the Christian life is all about our personal relationship with Jesus Christ which motivates and energizes our service to others. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples: You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world…your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. From that intimate relationship with Jesus that we nurture and cherish, we are empowered to accept the Psalmist’s refrain to “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” So, the underlying plea of every prayer of the deacon, of every Christian, should be “Draw near dear Jesus, draw near.” Dear brothers in Christ, tend to that relationship, first and foremost, every day of your lives. Through your faithful praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, through personal silent time before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, through your regular reflection of Sacred Scripture, through your deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, through your assistance at the Eucharistic Altar of God and through your outreach to the hurting, you will never be alone. Just as Jesus Himself has done, so also you should do. Each of you is charged to keep this ordination class of 2025, the Jubilee Year of Hope, intact, complete and divinely ordered. Experience Jesus’ constant Presence and rely on the support of the Risen Christ as you encounter challenges in your life and ministry. Keeping Jesus ever close, your manner of life will inspire the imitation of God’s holy people and be a real Beacon of Hope for others. In a world searching for a reason to hope, let the light of Christ shine through your diaconal ministry. May that Divine Light radiate through you, so that those you meet might encounter the Presence of Jesus and experience the joy of the Gospel. May the joy of the Gospel permeate your whole being, enhancing your vocation as husband, father and deacon. We certainly want to acknowledge and thank your wives and your families for their ongoing support and encouragement. Your relationship with your loved ones should be strengthened through your diaconate, never compromised. Through your diaconal ministry, in Jesus’ Name, May God be praised…forever may God be praised!
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