It’s not often that you see the diaconate celebrated in the Catholic press, or celebrated by pastors.

But — in a convergence that must be unprecedented — both those remarkable phenomena can be found in this week’s St. Louis Review:

Parishes across the Archdiocese of St. Louis are served by permanent deacons, a ministry directly benefitting from the Annual Catholic Appeal.

If the ACA reaches its $12 million goal in this year’s campaign, which formally begins in parishes April 19, the Office of the Permanent Diaconate will receive $100,000.

“The ACA grant is a great benefit,” said Deacon W. Alan Whitson, associate director of deacon personnel for the archdiocesan office. “It goes toward the formation of the men in the diaconate program. And the formation process feeds our whole community.”

Currently 184 active deacons serve in the archdiocese; 64 deacons are retired. There are 34 men in formation; 13 are scheduled to be ordained to the permanent diaconate on May 10.

“Our deacons have thousands of hours of service in various categories … in catechesis, charity, liturgy,” Deacon Whitson said. “They assist the pastors, they serve in the parishes.”

Deacons are ordained clergy who serve the Church in various ministries. They serve at Mass, sometimes preaching. They officiate at baptisms, witness marriages, preside at wakes and funerals. They perform a wide variety of charitable and service work.

“Our ministry is predominantly service-driven. We hope to show Christ the Servant in the parishes,” Deacon Whitson said.

Many deacons are married men with families who begin formation later in life. They often continue their careers while serving the Church as deacons on a voluntary basis.

“The fact that we’re married, have children like other parishioners, this sometimes makes us more approachable,” Deacon Whitson said.

The assistance of the ACA is invaluable, he added, in the formation of the deacons, which includes a four-year program of academics, field experience and spiritual formation, followed by three years of post-ordination formation.

“And continuing education is required as well,” Deacon Whitson said. “The St. Louis Archdiocese has been a model, both regionally and nationally, in forming deacons.”

Deacons are appreciated by the parish communities they serve and by the pastors, he said.

“When a pastor loses a deacon, he wants another one. And that’s a good problem to have,” Deacon Whitson said.

Four local pastors spoke highly of their deacons and the diaconate program. While many pastors are assisted by associate pastors, senior priests in residence and other priests on a part-time basis, the help of deacons is invaluable, the pastors said.

Father Denny Schaab, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Valley Park, has “two and a half deacons” for his parish of more than 7,600 registered parishioners.

The term “half deacon” means that one deacon serves in two canonical assignments. For instance, Deacon Whitson serves both in diaconate office and his parish, St. Clare of Assisi in Ellisville.

Father Schaab praised the deacons. “Their preparation allows them to really be of service to the Church. They have great theology training and practical experience.

Their ability to preach about family and marriage from a different perspective is a great asset to the Church. They also have a pastoral focus that allows them to visit the sick, bring Communion, be very effective that way.”

He stressed that the deacons all serve on a volunteer basis. “One deacon serves about 42 hours a month and another one about 32 hours a month. They both have full-time jobs. The third deacon is retired, and he serves about 150 hours a month.”

Father Schaab said, “By supporting the deacons’ formation and the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, the ACA is providing a valuable service to the whole archdiocese.”

Father Thomas Santen, pastor of St. Joseph in Manchester, has two deacons for his parish of about 10,000 parishioners.

“We also have a retired deacon who makes himself available,” Father Santen said. “Our deacons have a great spirit of service. They have been a great blessing.”

The deacons minister in a variety of ways, he said, including assisting at funerals, music ministry and the St. Vincent de Paul Conference. “Both are very active with Baptism as well.”

Father Santen said, “To me, they kind of incorporate what the diaconate is about: Men and their wives who have a spirit of service in the parish and come into the framework of the sacramental life of the Church.

“Both of our deacons were already active parishioners at St. Joseph, serving in many capacities before they were ordained deacons. As ordained men they have become a witness to the spirit of service in our parish,” he said.

There’s much more at the link. Check it out.