60 new deacons

Sixty new permanent deacons were recently ordained in the Santa Barbara pastoral region for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This is the culmination of a new diaconate prep program begun in the Santa Barbara region about five years ago.

The ordination of 60 men to the Permanent Diaconate at Santa Barbara City College's La Playa Stadium represented the largest single group of deacons ordained at one time in the history of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and possibly in the country. Held a week following the ordination of seven deacons in Los Angeles, the celebration also represented the successful efforts led by pastors of the Santa Barbara Region (Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) to draw forth more men to ordained ministry in their local parish communities.

"This is one of the most glorious days of my 40 years of priesthood," declared Santa Barbara Region Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry, who oversaw the formation process that began in 2002, and who delivered the homily at the ordination Mass. "Your presence is testimony to the good work of God that is present in all of you."

Referring to the day's second reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Peter's speech to the disciples), Bishop Curry reminded the deacons and the assembly of the Synod's first pastoral initiative, which "speaks to our call to evangelize, to testify to the power and goodness of the risen Lord. As deacons, believe that God has called you to continue the renewal of the Church by testifying to the faith and power of God manifested in you."

The Santa Barbara pastoral region is quite spread out and is a considerable distance from Los Angeles proper, so this type of program is beneficial. I was a little concerned, however, when I heard about a year ago that there were at least 60 candidates to serve roles in 28 of the 38 parishes in the region. That's a lot of deacons. Nonetheless, as Our Lord says, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." And it is true, particularly in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. I know three of the new deacons will be serving at our home parish in Santa Maria, making a total of six deacons there. Seven new deacons will be serving at the Jesuit parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in Santa Barbara. May God bless their ministry, that it might yield abundant fruit.