June 10, 2017 Ordination & Deacon Couple
On Saturday morning, June 10th Jay along with eighteen of his classmates were ordained Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and he has been assigned to Holy Family Parish, South Pasadena. The ordination Mass can be viewed at this link http://www.olacathedral.org/live/ .
The past week of Dcn. Jay & Candy’s life has been amazing. From the rehearsal at the Cathedral and the dinner that followed at the hotel, to the day of ordination on Saturday and the Masses of Thanksgiving and the blessings that followed, the time was that of many blessings. We thank the community of Holy Family who made it all possible.(Please click here to read all of our experiences of the five-year bi-monthly Deacon formation classes)
The weekend of June 19th, Dcn Jay & Candy will be at all of the Masses excluding 9:30a & 5:30p.
A DEACON COUPLE
With the bulletin cover last weekend many people wanted to know what a Deacon Couple is. Deacon Jay & Candy will do their best to explain it.
The phrase “Deacon Couple” is used by the Archdiocese to describe a married couple in which the husband has been ordained a Permanent Deacon. Here is why Deacon Couple to Dcn. Jay & Candy is fitting:
Over the past five years of formation, they both have attended all of the classes, done the reading assignments, and turned in the homework assignments. They both completed the bereavement training through Catholic Cemeteries and are certified lectors for the Archdiocese. They both are trained in how to conduct funeral Vigils, Memorial Services outside of Mass, and Gravesides. Both served as presider during morning and evening Liturgy of the Hours, both discerning the Scripture Readings and preparing reflections on how the reading stirred their spirits, the Holy Spirit bringing the reading to light, inspiring them to share the events in their life and how the readings brought the word of God to inspire and call both to action. Together they have prepared presentations on various faith related topics, prayer services as well as practicums for Baptisms, Sunday Celebrations Absent a Priest, Weddings, and Deacon at the Altar.
While it is true that only Jay was ordained and can perform Baptisms and witness a Wedding, they both will be present and serve. The ministry of a Deacon Couple is that of service. Service together. After ordination, some wives elect not to take an active role in the Church with their husbands (usually due to small children at home, work or other commitments and obligations), this is not true for Deacon Jay & Candy. They had made vows, during their celebration of matrimony, to each other 36 years prior to Deacon Jay making promises to the Archbishop. They will continue to serve the community of Holy Family and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as a couple. Where one is present, both are present.
And our journey as a Deacon Couple begins…
If you have any questions about what we have experienced in the diaconate (aka “that deacon thing”), please ask us or send us an email to deaconcouple@holyfamily.org.
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
Upcoming Diaconate Information Days:
Sunday, July 23, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at St. Dominic Savio Parish, 13400 Bellflower Blvd. Bellflower, 90706
Candy & Dcn. Jay Krueger, Deacon Couple
Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA