From the Desk of Father Jason - July 19, 2026

Dear Saint Francis Xavier Parishioners,

A couple of Sundays ago, I made the announcement at the weekend Masses that the Diocese has assigned a permanent deacon to our parish. The name of our new deacon is Deacon Art Gerstner. In the past, we have had the experience of the ministry of a permanent deacon through Deacon Mark.

Deacons were first ordained in the early Church, not long after Pentecost. There were problems with the way the food distributions were going in the Church. So, the Apostles, laid hands (ordained) seven men to serve as deacons.

A permanent deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. They have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders is bishop, priest, and deacon.

The title deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia, which means “servant.” They have a special connection to the bishop in the tasks of service and are configured to Christ the Servant of All.

Deacon Art is a permanent deacon as opposed to a transitional deacon. What is the difference? A transitional deacon is a man who is on his way to be ordained a priest. I was ordained as a transitional deacon. A permanent deacon is a man who is not being formed for the priesthood, but to be ordained a deacon permanently. Married men may become permanent deacons and usually have families. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church has restored the diaconate as a permanent rank of the hierarchy.

Deacons receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders from the bishop and are ordained not to the ministerial priesthood, but to the ministry of service. In the Roman Catholic Church, deacons may baptize, proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Mass, assist at and bless marriages, and preside at funerals.

Sincerely through Jesus,

Father Jason