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.
Office of the Permanent Diaconate
Deacon Michael Russo
Director of the Permanent Diaconate
(814) 288-3036
(814) 241-0576 (Cell)
mrusso@dioceseaj.org
Marybeth Heinze
Administrative Assistant
(814) 361-2000
mheinze@dioceseaj.org
The Call to the 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.
Answering the Call
Exploring the Permanent Diaconate
Deacons minister to God’s people through Word, Sacrament, and Charity. The Deacon is called to serve in the manner of Jesus. He is first and foremost a Christian man in his usual employment and lifestyle, trained and formed by additional study and prayer and graced by the Sacrament of Holy Orders for a special ministry to the community.
This series of interviews were created to help better understand and explore the Diaconate journey from Formation to Ordination.
Father Patrick Cronauer, O.S.B.
Formation Instructor
Sister Marilyn Welch, C.C.W.
Wives Formation Instructor
Nelson and Shelley Lowes
Candidate
Deacon Mark and Janis Komula
Newly Ordained Deacon
Upcoming 2022 Events
More information coming soon!

Ordination of Dan Heiser and Brian Yurky to the Permanent Diaconate
June 4 @ 10:00 am
Details
- Date:
- June 4
- Time:
-
10:00 am
- Event Category:
- Diaconate
Venue
- Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
-
One Cathedral Square
Altoona, PA 16601 United States - Phone:
- 814-944-4603
Related Events
-
Permanent Diaconate Rite of Acolyte
September 17 @ 5:00 pm

Annual Diaconate Retreat
June 12 - June 16
Details
- Start:
- June 12
- End:
- June 16
- Event Category:
- Diaconate
Venue
- Antiochian Village
-
140 Church Camp Trail
Bolivar, PA 15923
Related Events
-
Ordination of Dan Heiser and Brian Yurky to the Permanent Diaconate
June 4 @ 10:00 am -
Permanent Diaconate Rite of Acolyte
September 17 @ 5:00 pm

Permanent Diaconate Rite of Acolyte
September 17 @ 5:00 pm
Details
- Date:
- September 17
- Time:
-
5:00 pm
- Event Category:
- Diaconate
Venue
- Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
-
One Cathedral Square
Altoona, PA 16601 United States - Phone:
- 814-944-4603
Related Events
-
Ordination of Dan Heiser and Brian Yurky to the Permanent Diaconate
June 4 @ 10:00 am
Diakonia Newsletter
