On Saturday, October 27, 2018, Bishop William Patrick Callahan ordained five as permanent deacons for the Diocese of La Crosse. Those ordained as deacons are Thomas C. Anderson serving Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in Wisconsin Rapids, Kevin J. Breit serving St. Paul Parish in Mosinee, Kent L. Jacobson serving St. Mary Parish in Galesville and St. Bartholomew Parish in Trempealeau, Michael J. Lambrecht serving St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Schofield, and Richard A. Skifton serving Sacred Heart Parish in Nekoosa and St. Alexander Parish in Port Edwards.
The ministry of charity is at the heart of the vocation to the diaconate. Permanent deacons also assist at the altar, proclaim the Gospel, preach, baptize, and preside at weddings and funerals outside of Mass. Many work in RCIA, religious education and sacramental preparation.
If you are a man at least 35 years of age and you feel God may be calling you to the diaconate, talk to your pastor about attending a Diaconate Discernment Retreat to be held at St. Anthony’s Spirituality Center Feb. 1-2, 2019, and then call the Office for Ministries and Social Concerns at 608-791-0161. A new deacon formation class will begin in the fall of 2019 and attendance at the Discernment Retreat is a prerequisite. For more on the diaconate and the discernment retreat, visit www.diolc.org/diaconate.