14 men from throughout the diocese instituted as acolytes

Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in its likeness.”

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight

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In kneeling one-by-one before the bishop, 14 men from parishes throughout the Jefferson City diocese reached an important threshold in their preparation to be ordained permanent deacons next summer.

Each was instituted as an Acolyte, a lay ministry with specific duties and responsibilities.

“It’s ‘decision time’ for them and the Church about their continuing formation for the Order of the Diaconate,” Bishop McKnight stated in his homily Aug. 25 at Mass in the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Acolytes are instituted by the bishop for service at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon.

Their primary role is to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels for Mass and, if necessary, to distribute Holy Communion as an extraordinary minister.

The 14 men — Kenneth Arthur of St. Patrick Parish in Rolla, Robert Czarnecki of St. Stanislaus Parish in Wardsville, Louie Delk of Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson City, Michael Dorrell of St. Bonaventure Parish in Marceline, Chad Freie of St. Clement Parish in St. Clement, Edward Galbraith of St. Peter Parish in Jefferson City, Denis Gladbach of Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson City, Dwayne Goodwin OFS of St. Joseph Parish in Palmyra, Keith Henke of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Taos, Brian Lutz of Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Boonville, Harvey Million Jr. of Holy Spirit Parish in Centralia, Charles Ochoa of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, Mark Oligschlaeger of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City and James Rangitsch Jr. of St. Vincent de Paul Parish of Pettis County — are far along in their preparation to become deacons. The process began with a year of formal discernment and have been in formation for three years.

They hope to be ordained deacons next year.

Being instituted as acolytes is an important milestone in their formation, affording them the opportunity to serve more actively and more visibly in their parishes.

Bishop McKnight spoke of how all of this fits into God’s greater plan for his Church, articulated in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

“As fellow disciples of Jesus Christ in our own place and time, we are called to be a community of support for one another, helping each other out in living our faith in Jesus Christ,” the bishop stated.

Baptized into one family, Catholics share in the elaborate support network given by Christ to help all in the Church to remain faithful to him.

“The gift of Christ’s word and teaching are safeguarded by the successors of the apostles, the bishops, who are in communion with the successor of St. Peter, the Pope, and all the priests and deacons who are coworkers with the Order of Bishops,” Bishop McKnight elaborated.

The faithful receive special support in the sacraments, instituted by Christ to give grace, at important moments in life’s journey.

“And in this community of believers we know as the Church, Jesus wants us to share in each other’s joys and sorrows as we help one another experience the beatitudes of life with faith, devotion and trust in the Lord,” the bishop said.

Bishop McKnight spoke of the diversity of gifts God bestows on his Church through the active participation of each member, and how this is reflected in the Church’s communal worship.

“Dear sons in Christ called to serve at the altar as acolytes,” the bishop said to the 14, “recognize the importance of having a diversity of charisms represented in the multiplicity of ministers in the liturgy.

“It takes all of us with our different gifts, charisms, talents, roles and responsibilities to carry out the Lord’s Eucharistic command: ‘do this in memory of me,’” the bishop said.

He reminded them that as acolytes, they are to help the deacon and minister to the priest at Mass, as well as occasionally being called upon to give Holy Communion to the faithful at the liturgy and to the sick.

“Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in its likeness,” the bishop old them.

“You should seek to understand the deep spiritual meaning of what you do, so that you may offer yourselves daily to God as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to him through Jesus Christ,” he said.

He urged them to show sincere love for God’s holy people, the Church, especially for the weak and the sick, and to be obedient to the command the Lord gave his Apostles at the Last Supper: “Love one another as I also have loved you.”

“Make your life worthy”

Father Stephen Jones, pastor of Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, concelebrated the Mass.

Assisting at the altar were Deacon John Schwartze, diocesan director of deacon formation; and Deacon Mike Berendzen, diocesan director of ministry and life of permanent deacons.

The Acolyte candidates joined the bishop and concelebrating priests in the opening procession to the sanctuary, then took their place in the two front pews.

Each wore a simple white alb with a white cincture tied around the waist.

Bishop McKnight prayed over the 14, asking God to accept them for their new role in the Church.

“Grant that they may be faithful in the service of your altar,” the bishop prayed. “In giving to others the bread of life, may they grow always in faith and love, and so build up your Church, through Christ our Lord.”

To each who knelt before him, the bishop ceremonially presented a paten of bread for the Mass, saying, “Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of His Church.”

At Communion, all the newly instituted acolytes came forward into the sanctuary to receive and then distribute the Body and Blood of Christ.