The Most Rev. Raymond Lahey has announced the establishment of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Antigonish. For the last several years a special committee of the Council of Priests of the Diocese has been examining the viability of establishing this ministry in the local Church.

Re-established by the Second Vatican Council, the Permanent Diaconate provides an extraordinary opportunity for men, married or single, to serve the community. While usually still maintaining his secular job, the Permanent Deacon, a fully ordained minister of the Church, becomes a bridge between the Church and the WorId. He is a minister and a servant who is called to a three-fold ministry of liturgy, word and service, with service being the deacon's most characteristic ministry.

Within his liturgical role:

• he may assist Bishop and priest during the liturgy,
• distribute communion,
• administer baptism,
• witness and bless marriages,
• officiate at wakes,
• funerals and burial services.

As minister of the Word:

• he proclaims the Gospel at Mass,
• and may preach the homily,
• as well as teach.

These two ministries validate and strengthen his primary ministry of service to the community as he works with the young, the aged, the divorced, the sick in hospitals and homes, the poor, the rejected, immigrants, prisoners, addicts, in college campuses, schools or with families.

Bishop Lahey has appointed Rev. Jim Attwood, pastor of Immaculate Conception, Bridgeport, St. Eugene's, Dominion and St. James, Gardiner Mines, as the Director of the Permanent Diaonate. The Diocese will be accepting applications for the Permanent Diaconate in January of 2007.

For more information, Fr. Attwood can be reached at 902-849-8543 or jimatt@seascape.ns.ca