2024 marks the 50th Jubilee of the Permanent Diaconate here in the Archdiocese of Denver. Through preaching, service, worship and prayer, deacons serve the people of God in unique ways through their various ministries and lives. This article is one of a series of articles the Denver Catholic will publish in 2024 which will feature local deacons and/or a diaconal ministry. There are many Deacon Saints who were martyred for their faith. In this year of Jubilee, the deacons of the Archdiocese of Denver are asking for prayers through the intercession of Saint Euplius of Cantania, deacon and martyr. Learn more about this Deacon Saint here.
As the Archdiocese marks the 50th anniversary of the permanent diaconate, deacons from across northern Colorado gathered with Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn for a special celebration of their vocation. With Mass, community fellowship and an opportunity to renew their ordination vows, Deacon Day was a fitting occasion to mark the momentous jubilee.
“We give thanks for 50 years of the diaconate. We thank the Lord for the gift of our deacons’ lives. We ask for continued blessings upon all of our deacons and their families, that they may be strengthened in faith, hope and charity,” Archbishop Aquila said, expressing his thanks for the archdiocese’s deacons’ dedicated service.
Marianne Arling, whose husband was the late Deacon Dave Arling, felt deeply moved by the opportunity to reunite with her late husband’s “band of brothers.”
“It’s just so impressive to have such a large, thriving diaconate ministry in this archdiocese. I think it must be one of the best in the country,” she shared, reflecting her gratitude for the diaconate community and program. “The spirituality and the academics of the program are so strong. He (Dave) really appreciated the quality of the program and the gifts of the ministries of the program. And he loved his band of brothers. He loved being a part of the brotherhood of the diaconate.”
Through their ordination, the archdiocese’s deacons are called to a particular vocation of service. They are known for their service in an incredible number of ministries across northern Colorado. Assigned to parishes alongside other Catholic ministries, the good work of our deacons is evident throughout the community, Deacon Ernie Martinez, director of deacons said.
“Your ministries bring people back to an encounter with Jesus Christ. [With] Jesus Christ the servant, through your actions,” he said.
For Deacon Arling, vocational service took shape through his leadership of the Angel Haus Ministry, which was dedicated to their son, who had a disability.
“He had a special ministry because we have a son with a disability. He developed a religious art program called Angel Haus. He developed a lot of different kinds of Christian art, and they worked with disabled veterans and others [with disabilities],” Ms. Arling said.
As many of our deacons were first called to their matrimonial vocation before the diaconate, the wives who support our deacons also play a great role in their ministries.
“Most of you, my dear brothers, are married, and I welcome all your beautiful brides who are here. We thank them for the invaluable partnership that exists in your marriage. A double sacramental partnership in the sacrament of marriage enriched by the sacrament of Holy Orders,” Deacon Martinez said.
In short, the dedication of the archdiocese’s deacons and their wives to the archdiocesan community over the last 50 years is awe-inspiring, said Deacon Michael Grafner, who has been a deacon for over a decade.
“It’s such a blessing to see this group of men that are so dedicated to what we do. Seeing them empowers me to strengthen my own ministry that much more,” he said.
Whether near or far, Denver deacons came together to celebrate this joyful event as a “band of brothers.” For Deacon Samuel Lopez, that meant returning to the Denver area from Nebraska.
“It’s a great joy for me to be here. All of us gathered together, all of us who love Jesus or want to be with Jesus for the rest of our lives and to share that with whomever we encounter,” Deacon Lopez said.
Deacon Day was a wonderful celebration for all who attended. As we celebrate the 50th jubilee of the permanent diaconate this year, we continue to keep these men in your prayers as they work to build up the Kingdom of Heaven in our community.
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