The first responsibility of the deacon is to be an effective visible sign of Christ who came to serve rather than to be served. Although the ministry of the deacon may be exercised on a part-time basis, he remains at all times a deacon and he is called, in his life-style, to reflect this.
The ministry of the deacon is an expression of his being, as the documents say, an icon of Christ the servant. The areas of ministry which may be entrusted to deacons fall under three general headings; Altar, Word and Charity. They include:
i. Altar
Assisting the priest at the celebration of the Eucharist
Bringing the Eucharist to the sick at home and in hospitals.
The formation of altar servers and acolytes.
Presiding at Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
The celebration of Baptism.
Witnessing marriages that are celebrated outside of Mass (with the appropriate delegation).
Participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Presiding at funerals that take place outside the context of Mass.
ii. Word
Proclaiming the Gospel at the Liturgy.
Preaching the homily.
Participating in sacramental preparations programs.
The formation of readers.
Participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Facilitating study of and prayer with the scriptures.
iii. Charity
Facilitating the development of lay ministry.
Visiting the sick.
Visiting prisoners.
Visiting the bereaved.
Youth ministry and the facilitation of peer-ministry among young people.
Promoting awareness of the social teaching of the Church.
The promotion of justice and human rights.
The administration of Church property.
A permanent deacon is not a “lone ranger.” He receives his mission from the Bishop, and is assigned to work as a member of a team, normally under the leadership of a parish priest. He is called to minister in close cooperation with priests and with members of the lay faithful who are entrusted with various ministries.
Collaborative ministry is already a reality in many parishes, especially with the development of Parish Pastoral Councils, baptism teams, bereavement support groups, etc. Deacons are not intended to replace lay ministries. On the contrary, in many places, they play a key role in the development and coordination of lay ministry. Neither is a deacon intended to be a “mini-priest”, making up for a shortage of vocations. The Vatican Council was quite clear that, alongside the diaconate, the role of the ordained priesthood must continue to be fostered because without the priest there is no Eucharist and without the Eucharist there is no Church
