ROCKFORD—Bishop David Malloy thanked God for the gathering of deacons and used the words “collegiality” and “fraternity” during his prayer before the meal on Oct. 17.
Those words were illustrated over and over during the evening that celebrated the 50th anniversary of the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Rockford.
Deacons and their wives greeted one another, shook hands, embraced and welcomed each other and gathered as friends and classmates for pictures as the room grew loud with conversation and laughter. Priests and some seminarians joined in making old and new acquaintances among the deacons.
Father Brian Grady, current director of the permanent diaconate program, began the evening by greeting and thanking those gathered along with his staff for organizing the event.
He pointed out that 1975 was a busy year for the diocese as Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill began the annual diocesan appeal that year along with the permanent diaconate. The first ordination class of 1975 consisted of 15 men. Unfortunately, everyone in that class is now deceased.
However, their legacy continues and was felt throughout the room. Attending the anniversary was Lucia Fausto whose father, Tadeo Jimenez, was in the first class of deacons. Now her husband, Francisco, is a current deacon.
Many remembered the influence of that first class because some were baptized or served in some way by the first 15, including Deacon Tom Petit, the nephew of Deacon Don McElroy who was ordained in that first class.
The longest ordained deacon present for the anniversary celebration was Deacon Mike Giambalvo ordained in the class of 1976. He was accompanied by his wife Carol.
Father Grady also pointed out other milestones for the diaconate, including the largest class of deacons with 21 men ordained in 2014. Deacon Jovie Reyes was proud to represent that class and traveled all the way from Mountain View Calif., to take part in the evening. And the sacrament of Holy Orders was represented as ‘all in the family’ with Deacon Shawn Glanville whose son will be ordained in June 2026 and Deacon Richard Orabutt whose son Connor was ordained a priest in 2023.
As the deacons, wives and priests finished their dinner, Bishop Malloy offered remarks about the meaning and impact of the permanent diaconate.
Bishop Malloy referred to the occasion as a “milestone and mile marker.”
Markers and milestones are important, the bishop said, because they tell us where we are. “And every time you pass one along the road it serves as a reminder. A mile marker can mark our progress and tell us how far we have to go and how far we have come,” the bishop said.
Bishop Malloy said since 1975 there have been approximately 300 deacons ordained in the diocese. He mentioned the great efforts of past directors of the program, especially that of the late Msgr. William Schwartz. Bishop Malloy shared that during his 13 years in Rockford he has heard time and time again from folks in and outside the diocese how well-formed Rockford’s deacons are. And he said that is a credit to the solid formation that began as just two years and has grown into the current program of seven years which includes two years in the Ministry Formation Program.
“But there is something deeper and even more fundamental” about what brings us together here” besides just a dinner. And that, Bishop Malloy said, is conveyed in Acts 6. “What’s being described there is more than just service at table. Deacons are made to be spiritual contributors to the diocese and to the life of the Church”
Bishop Malloy asked all to think about, since 1975, how many Masses have been offered outside of the regular obligation; how many hours must have been spent praying the liturgy of the hours; how much time deacons spent in adoration and in private sacrifice; spiritual counseling; visiting the sick and taking the Blessed Sacrament to the elderly and homebound; serving the poor and the needy; and evangelizing young people all for the spiritual good of the Church and the spiritual good of the faithful.
Bishop Malloy told the deacons that, with more people entering the Church all over the world, they “have a great opportunity before them to indicate yet another mile marker.”
Bishop Malloy concluded by saying that thanks needs to go to the families, especially the wives, whose “yes” — as Father Grady said earlier — made it possible for all the deacons to be ordained. But, he said, “thanks must also go to the families who have made this possible by patience, by prayer, and by love and joy and by supporting the (deacon) who has been called. It is a great gift for them and for us.
“Mostly we thank God on an occasion like this. This 50th mile marker is a great reason to be celebrating. It is a great reason for us to be faithful. It is a great reason for us to look, not just with our human eyes but with our eyes of faith, to see the act of grace that has been and continues to be a part of this, and say thank you to you deacons for all that you do in so many elements of service.”
For more information about the permanent diaconate call 815-399-4300. Deacons serving in and retired from the Diocese of Rockford are pictured in the Official Directory for the Diocese of Rockford. To order a directory contact Jill Bonk at 815-399-4300 ext 419.
