Diaconate

The Office of the Permanent Diaconate prepares the candidate during his process toward ordination and helps coordinate ongoing formation and assignments after ordination. The ordained deacon is essential to the liturgical and social life of the Diocesan Church.

The Call to Diaconate
Who do you know who is hearing the call to serve the Lord in the Church as a Permanent Deacon . . . maybe you?  God continues to call men between the ages of 32 and 59 to participate in service ministry to God’s people in the Diaconate.

Office of the Diaconate
925 S. Logan Boulevard
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

Deacon Michael L. Russo
Director of the Permanent Diaconate
Hollidaysburg Office Phone: (814) 693-9870 — Ext. 2669
Johnstown Office Phone: (814) 288-3036
Cell Phone for Deacon Michael: (814) 241-0576
Deacon Michael’s E-mail: Michael.Russo@atlanticbb.net

Joan Noonan
Office of the Permanent Diaconate
Office Phone: (814) 693-9870
Joan Noonan’s E-mail: jnoonan@dioceseaj.org

DEACONS IN GOOD STANDING IN THE DIOCESE OF ALTOONA-JOHNSTOWN

CALLED TO ORDERS

Candidates Christopher Conner and John Roth were called to Orders by Bishop Mark while attending their Canonical Retreat at Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe.  Pictured left to right: Vickie and Christopher Conner, Bishop Mark, John and Lisa Roth.  We pray for continued blessings to the candidates, their wives and families.

RITE OF LECTOR AND ACOLYTE

Congratulations to four candidates for the Permanent Diaconate who reach new milestones in their formation.  Bishop Mark celebrated Mass at Saint Mary Parish in Hollidaysburg on Saturday, October 21, 2017.  The Liturgy included the Institution of Lectors and Acolytes.  Pictured left to right:  Allan Duman, Lector; Christopher Conner, Acolyte; Bishop Mark; Deacon Michael Russo, Director of the Permanent Diaconate; John Roth, Acolyte; and Jerome Nevling, Lector.  Continued blessings to the candidates, their wives, and families.

RITE OF CANDIDACY

Bishop Mark accepted Derek Lane, (pictured with his wife Casey),
as a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate on Saturday, September 14, 2017.
Mass was celebrated at Saints Peter & Paul Parish in Philipsburg
where the Nevlings are members.

Bishop Mark accepted Jerry Nevling, (pictured with his wife Lori),
as a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
Mass was celebrated at Saints Peter & Paul Parish in Philipsburg
where the Nevlings are members.

RITE OF LECTOR

Diaconate candidates Christopher Conner and John Roth
received Ministry of Lector at a Mass celebrated
by The Most Reverend Bishop Mark Bartchak on Saturday, October 1, 2016
at St. Bernard Church, Hastings.  Pictured with Bishop Mark (left to right) is:
Christopher Conner, a member of St. Bernard Church and John Roth, a member of Most Holy Trinity, Huntingdon.

RITE OF CANDIDACY

Bishop Mark accepted Allan Duman, (pictured with his wife Joanna),
as a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate.  Mass was celebrated
Saturday, September 3, 2016 at St. Mary Church in Hollidaysburg
where the Dumans are members.

ORDINATION

Pictured (left to right): Fr. Matthew Reese, Vocations Director; Deacon Peter Crowe;
Deacon Johnathan Dickson; Bishop Mark; Deacon Donald Gibboney and Deacon Michael Russo,
Director of the Office of the Permanent Diconate

The Most Reverend Bishop Mark Bartchak ordained Donald Theodore Gibboney to the Sacred Order of the Permanent Diaconate on Saturday May 14, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Deacon Don is a member of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon and will now be in temporary diaconal service at that location.

Also ordained as Transitional Deacons were seminarians Peter Crowe and Johnathan Dickson. Deacon Peter is a member of Our Lady of Victory in State College and is currently attending St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. Deacon Johnathan is a member of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Altoona and is currently attending St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD.

In his homily, Bishop Mark reflected on the reading from the Acts of the Apostles and the meeting place between God and His people. That like the Apostles, it is essential to be devoted to the word of God:

“a ministry that is absolutely vital to fostering the growth of the Church established by the Lord Jesus Christ. Diakonia, service is at the heart of the ministerial functions and responsibilities of a deacon.

It applies to Donald, who today is ordained deacon in a stable and permanent way. It
applies to Jonathan and Peter, who are ordained deacon in a manner that is often
characterized as transitional, because God-willing, they will be ordained priests next year.”

God’s blessings upon Don, Peter and Johnathan as they continue their ministry. May they be men of prayer, stay firmly rooted in their faith and lead others to discover the true meaning of hope that comes from God.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ONGOING FORMATION CLASSES

For a complete list of classes offered, class information and registration forms visit:

www.dioceseaj.org/lay-ecclesial-ministry

These courses offer an excellent opportunity for ongoing formation and all costs are covered by the Diaconate.

Please note that a registration form still needs to be filled out and submitted to The Office of Lay Ecclesial Ministry prior to the start of the class.