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Pittsburgh, PA -
The word “deacon” comes from a Greek word meaning “servant.” The men who
would become deacons in the Byzantine Catholic Church, and their wives, know
this and accept it readily. These are men who feel called to serve the Lord
through service to their parishes and their communities. In a parochial
setting, a deacon assists at the liturgical services, preaches the Gospel,
brings the Eucharist to the sick and homebound, and works especially in the
service areas of parish life.
Beginning on June 15, 2003 twenty-five men from the Pittsburgh, Parma, and
Van Nuys eparchies of the Byzantine Catholic Church in America will begin
the second Deacon Formation Program at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary in
Pittsburgh. Twenty men completed the first program that began in 1999 and
just recently was completed in May 2003.
The new class of deacon candidates will reside at the seminary for two-weeks
over four summers in an intensive study and formation program. The students
will then continue through the year with distance learning, reading and
writing papers related to their studies. Mentors will be assigned to each
candidate to assist with and monitor their progress.
“I am happy to welcome this new class,” said Father John G. Petro, “and
challenge them to be as motivated and enthusiastic as our first group. When
they finish four years from now, they will fill a great need in our Church.”
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Contact: Edward Barr (412) 321-3771 |
