November 2, 2013 we continue our diaconate journey…
This was an emotional weekend. Friday was the funeral of Deacon Valentin Saucedo and Saturday was the Rite of Candidacy.
Deacon Valentin, who conducted our second interview during our application for the Diaconate in August of 2011 passed away. Over the past year, Deacon Valentin had been diagnosed with stomach cancer and had received various treatments. We last saw him at our group retreat in June, where he spoke briefly about his life and the treatment for his illness. There were two recent articles in The Tidings about him. One was last Friday, with his funeral announcement and the other were in July and it was an interview with him. He said that while he was dying he was also proclaiming Christ’s resurrection. We hope that you will be able to get a glimpse of the individual he was by reading the two articles. All who knew him will truly miss him.
Saturday afternoon was spent in preparing for and participating in the Rite of Candidacy. The St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Group rehearsed in the chapel after lunch. There was a prayer service lead by Deacon Mike & Martha, our journeying Deacon Couple. This was to prepare us for the Rite; to ensure that we had general knowledge of what was about to happen.
Bishop Salazar, from the San Pedro region was the celebrant. Members of the Ordination Class were Master of Ceremonies as well as acolytes. Friends and family were present as well as members of the formation team and many of those who are Aspirants.
The Rite took place after the homily in which Bishop Salazar talked about life as a servant, how we are all called, by benefit of our Baptism, to become servants to the world. Deacon Craig, the Director of Diaconate Formation, called each one of the men’s names. When Jay’s name was read, he responded, “Present”. Jay and Candy stood up and Jay proceeded to the front of the chapel where he bowed to Bishop Salazar and then took his place with his fellow classmates. Two questions were asked:
In response to the Lord’s call are you resolved to complete your preparation so that in due time you will be ready to be ordained for the ministry of the Church?
Are you resolved to prepare yourselves in mind and spirit to give faithful service to Christ the Lord and his body, the Church?
The response to both questions was a strong, “I do”.
Bishop Salazar then blessed the men and accepted them as Candidates for the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
After the Creed and the Prayers of the Faithful, the wives were asked to come forward and join their husbands. It was here that the Bishop spoke directly to the wives. He spoke of how they will support their husbands as they continue formation with them. They were asked if thee wives were willing continue to provide support. The response was “I am”.
Bishop Salazar then welcomed the new candidates and their wives with a round of applause. The Mass then continued.
After Mass, we had our pictures taken with Bishop Salazar as well as a brief discussion.
If you are interested in becoming a Deacon or a Deacon Couple for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please contact:
Diaconate Formation Office
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241
213-637-7383
Diaconate Information Days – Called To Be A Deacon?
Prospective applicants and their wives are invited to attend an Information Day presented by the Office of Diaconate Formation. Here you can meet the formation staff and learn more about the formation program.
Sunday, January 12, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. John Chrysostom Parish, 546 East Florence Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301.
Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 5801 Kanan Rd. Westlake Village, CA 91362.
If you have any questions about the Diaconate, please ask us or send us an e-mail at wyb@wyb.com. We greatly appreciate your prayers and support and will continue to keep you informed of our journey.
Candy & Jay Krueger,
Candidacy Year I, Diaconate Formation,
Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, Ca