October 3, 2020

Seven men are one step closer to becoming permanent deacons

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Marking another important step on their journey to become permanent deacons, seven men were installed as lectors and acolytes in a special 11 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, Saturday, Oct. 3.

The Diaconate Class of 2021 are in their final year of the formation program. Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus, the Springfield Diocese’s apostolic administrator, was the principal celebrant of the Mass, which was concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Timothy A. McDonnell and Msgr. Christopher Connelly, rector of the cathedral.

“You will bring the message of salvation,” Bishop McManus told the men, who have spent nearly four years in formation, attending college classes at night, while holding down full-time jobs and caring for their families.

“I know the sacrifices families make to allow these men to serve the church,” Bishop McManus said.

The lectors and acolytes are: Lawrence F. Channel, Greenfield; Brian E. Hunt, Feeding Hills; Marc-Arthur G. Jean-Mary, Springfield; John L. Murray, South Hadley; Daniel Prats, Chicopee; Michael J. Pray, Chicopee; and Gerald P. Sheehan, Wilbraham.

“It’s overwhelming,” said Daniel Prats, a member of St. Rose de Lima Parish in Chicopee. He was joined by his wife, Julie.

“We all have different journeys. This is something I want to give back to God as my love for him,” Prats said.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, everyone in attendance wore a mask and the pews were marked off every other row.

As lectors and acolytes, the men will be able to read the word of God, except for the Gospel and bring the Eucharist to those who are homebound, in nursing homes or in prisons.

“I just felt called,” said Michael Pray, a member of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica in Chicopee. He and his wife, Kristie, have three sons.

“I felt the Lord calling to come to him. I prayed a lot, saying, ‘what do you want me to do Lord?’ He pointed me this way,” said Pray.

Once ordained as deacons next spring, the men will be able to assist a priest during Mass, proclaim the Gospel and preach, and like a priest, they also are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of baptism. They can be married or unmarried, but cannot marry after they are ordained. They are not paid.

“I’m so proud of my husband. I’m so proud he did this. Our faith is the center of our family,” said Linda Jean-Mary, whose husband Marc-Arthur was installed as a lector and acolyte. The couple has two teenage sons and attend Holy Cross Parish in Springfield.

“Jesus means a lot, a lot to me and my husband,” she said. 

While this year has been especially difficult with the pandemic, political discord and social tension as people fight for racial equality, newly installed lector and acolyte John Murray reminded people to focus on Jesus.

“Even during this difficult time that we’re in, Jesus can still bring true peace,” said Murray, who belongs to St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish in South Hadley. He explained how he and his wife, Sandy, drew closer and closer to Christ as she went through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) a few years ago.

“That’s what I felt ever since I began this journey is the true peace and presence of Jesus. No matter what happens, I don’t feel that could ever be taken away from me,” Murray said.

There are 74 active deacons in the Diocese of Springfield. Springfield Bishop Joseph F. Maguire ordained the first permanent deacons in the Diocese of Springfield on Jan. 15, 1983.

 

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.