Liverpool welcomes four new Deacons

The four Deacons with Archbishop Kelly

The Archdiocese of Liverpool welcomed home four newly ordained Deacons last Sunday with a special celebration of Evening Prayer in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Archbishop Patrick Kelly presided as the four who were ordained the previous day, Saturday 11 June, at Ushaw College, each took a role in the Service.

The seminarians: Gerard Callacher, Liam Collister, Paul Grady and Joseph Kendall, were ordained at the end of five years of study, including pastoral placements, as they discerned their call to priesthood. Their Ordination as Deacons is the culmination of their own 'yes' to God and the Church and the fruit of much prayer by them and many other people who have prayed for them during this time.

As well as great support from their own families they have been supported by their home parishes. Gerard Callacher is from St Monica's, Bootle; Liam Collister from All Saints, Anfield; Paul Grady from St Mary's Wigan and Joseph Kendall from St Edmund of Canterbury in Waterloo.

During Sunday's Service Deacons Liam Collister and Joseph Kendall gave reflections, Deacon Gerard Callacher sang the Gospel (John 20:1-23) and Deacon Paul Grady led the Prayers of Intercession. At the end of the Service the Deacons were greeted by Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Bishop Tom Williams and Bishop Vincent Malone before receiving the congratulations of the Permanent Deacons of the Archdiocese.

The music of the Service was led by the Metropolitan Cathedral Consort Choir and included the hymns 'We have a Gospel to proclaim' and 'Hail, Queen of Heaven'. The Magnificat was in the setting in G by Charles Villiers Stanford. The Choir also sang 'The Spirit of the Lord' by Edward Elgar, during which Archbishop Kelly sprinkled the congregation with blessed water to symbolise the start of the launch week of the new Order of the Sacraments in the Archdiocese: 'With You Always'.

Over the next year the deacons will have further pastoral placements and studies and will be ordained as Priests in 2012.

If anyone is interested in a vocation to the Priesthood contact the Archdiocesan Vocations Director: Father Stephen Maloney on 0151 287 8787. Email: frstevemaloney@btinternet.com