Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

After five years of formation, 10 men from local parishes will be ordained deacons of the Archdiocese of Louisville on Aug. 24. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre will preside at the ordination Mass set for 11 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 5431 Johnsontown Road.

“We’ve got surgeons, truck drivers, UPS employees,” said Deacon Denny Nash, director of the archdiocese’s Diaconate Office.

They will join 93 other men already serving as deacons in the archdiocese.

The new deacons have spent the past five years in a special formation program, and those who are married were accompanied in this formation by their wives. While part of the formation happens in a classroom setting, other parts happen through ministry experiences and during retreats, noted Deacon Nash.

“Formation isn’t just going to school,” he said. “The church believes everyone has four dimensions — the human, the pastoral dimension, the intellectual dimension and the spiritual. They blend together to make up our human experience.”

In addition to their formation, Deacon Nash said, “Everything they have experienced to this point — jobs, family — helps them in their ministry. It really allows them to be empathetic and to really accompany people.” In that way, Deacon Nash noted, deacons bridge the experience of laity and clergy.

For hands-on ministry, this cohort of deacons went through hospital ministry training.

“As pairs, they shadowed chaplains at UofL Hospital’s trauma unit. They were expected to do 40 hours of service at the hospital and they were all certified volunteers at UofL trauma,” he said.

“Normally we would have them experience prison and jail ministry but that wasn’t possible because of Covid,” which affected the first year of formation, he said.

The formation program also brought prayer to the forefront.

“They’re required to do the liturgy of the hours — morning and evening prayer,” said Deacon Nash. “If you’re ordained you’re expected to do that every day."

“They also learned to lead prayer within the cohort and with others,” he said.

While the cohort’s preparation for ordination has ended, their formation hasn’t ended yet according to Deacon Nash.

“Formation doesn’t end with ordination,” he said. “It’s now a requirement that newly ordained be in structured formation for five years and continue formation after that.”

The ministry of a deacon is often very visible and hands-on. Deacons administer some sacraments including baptism and marriage. They are called to do charitable work for the church such as prison and jail ministry or hospital ministry.

But one of their most important roles is serving as a model according to Deacon Nash.

During Mass when assisting at the altar he noted: "We are there for same reason as laity—we are there be fed so we can go out service others."

As Mass ends congregation called by deacon: "Go peace glorifying Lord your life."

“It is meant be marching orders," said Deacon Nash.

"We've come know role not only serves but outward sign servant church," he added "We invite laity participate diakonia Greek meaning servant."

"All discerning; baptism discerners," added "How live out serve bring Christ others?"

Deacon plans retire end year believes world dire need diakonia

"I think here reason," noting permanent state reintroduced Vatican II."When instituted permanent order decision Holy Spirit world never more need God saw need."

Archdiocese offers new cohort every four years class 2028 assisting Aug setting reception greeting congregation cantor few serve

Next group diverse Vietnamese African American five Spanish speakers Beginning new wives married required attend previously encouraged

Following biographical information each couple provided Diaconate Office

Joseph Jim Creely wife Ellen founding members St Bernadette married 34 years four daughters native New Orleans otolaryngologist head neck surgery Norton Brownsboro earned undergraduate University Notre Dame studied medicine Vanderbilt residency Louisiana State University Ellen nursing St Mary College pediatric oncology nurse master's degree administration College Francis Joliet Ill works Neighbor Care coordinator served councils guided Bernadette Academy moved Louisville involved youth athletics RCIA GIFT program Bible study liturgical lectors extraordinary ministers holy Communion assigned Holy Name Martin Porres churches

Christopher Kelly Laurie members Michael more than married career UPS Airlines finance industrial engineering attended Xavier bachelor's master's degrees Louisville parish lector extraordinary minister acolyte RCIA Laurie licensed property casualty insurance agent USI Services graduated Presentation associate interior design adult choir faith assigned Trinity Frances Rome churches

Douglas Korfhage Patty owners Floor Covering married sons grandchildren Guardian Angels Xavier realtor Boyce acolyte council recreational pilot license Ascension Jim Kramer Kelly children son Ray Lillian electrical engineering partner Cherry Bekaert Advisory Managed IT certificate pastoral youth Spalding umpire non-partisan commissioner mayor founding TAG Ministries bachelor Western Kentucky dental hygienist coaching picnic leadership Scouts Club Immaculate Conception Craig Lish Julia natives married two children John Vianney Sales Iroquois More manager Thomas Carmel Randy Perkins Colleen three director students Trinity previously Jefferson County Public Schools practiced law psychiatric counselor Wellspring received J.D Louisville School Law bachelor Murray State executive MillerKnoll active community industry organizations Epiphany Donald Robbins three grandchildren late wife Judy died cancer career plumbing Bishop David senior retreats Cross lifelong Denis closed form Queen continues worship committee building grounds council Peace Craig Roberts Theresa Corrigan nearly New Yorker Medicine orthopaedic surgeon faculty retired Fischer chair SWAT probation parole officer extraordinary Father Jones Food Pantry youth Vacation Brigid Corrigan musculoskeletal radiologist Community Catholic Center advancement Troop Leonard Assisi Michael Schmitt Audrey manufacturing logistics executive dentistry Angel Tree Bereavement Ministry Welcome Haiti Men Knights Columbus women Bible Martha Kevin Webb Donrita high sweethearts Freight Intertech Mechanical Incarnation Shepherdsville Benedict Lebanon Junction

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