Celebrating the Ministry of Deacon Don Ropson
"The generosity of a deacon, who gives of himself without seeking the front ranks, has about him the perfume of the Gospel."
Pope Francis
After 18 years of dedicated ministry in the diaconate, Deacon Don is retiring. His smile and hospitality have been a fixture at Resurrection and will be missed dearly.
Deacon Don has been an intricate part of the ordinary parish activities and the major sacramental events. From baptisms to weddings to funerals, Deacon Don has touched countless lives. He has preached on the Gospels but also lived out the Gospels. He has prayed with us during good times and bad. He has swung a hammer to build homes for Habitat for Humanity. He has inspired and loved those at Resurrection and beyond.
What memories do you have of Deacon Don? How has he touched your life? How can you honor him and his ministry? Resurrection is collecting those memories and reflections to present to him. Please share your thoughts and words of thanksgiving to resurrectionparish@gbres.org
As he begins a new chapter, Resurrection wishes him nothing but love and support. And more importantly, we thank him from the bottoms of our hearts.
As we celebrate the ministry of Deacon Don, we can reflect on the vocation of the diaconate. Resurrection has the longest history of deacons in the Diocese of Green Bay. That is because, at Vatican II, the Church restored the permanent diaconate as an active ministry so as to return to the fullness of orders of the early Church. The Diocese of Green Bay began ordaining permanent deacons in the early 1970’s with the first deacon ordained being Resurrection's Glenn Beaudry.
Who is a Deacon?
A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. The Church has three
orders of ordained ministers: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." Christ calls the entire Church to serve. A deacon is to be a servant in a servant-Church through his sacramental ordination and various ministries.
What are the ministries" of the Deacon?
As ministers of the Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church.
As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services
As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then directing the Church's resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs.
But no matter what specific functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT a deacon does, but WHO a
deacon is, that is important.
Join us for Mass this weekend at 4:00 PM on Saturday, and 8:30 or 10:30 AM on Sunday, on www.gbres.org/live, our YouTube channel, and our Facebook page.
READINGS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S MASSES
VIRTUALLY SUNDAY REFLECTION
Water is a powerful force that brings both life and death. Our lives in Christ begin with our plunging into the waters of new life. We rise from the baptismal water to see the world through holy eyes. Join Tony as he reflects on this weekend's gospel.
This Weekend's Bulletin
(click to read)
Families
Revealed Podcast
Episode 9 Now Available!
Katie and Tony are excited to introduce you to their brainchild: Auditio Divina. This prayer form, developed from Lectio Divina and Visio Divina, is a brand-new practice of sacred listening that helps you hear new songs. Join Katie and Tony as they listen to "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong and explore how this song can help experience the sacred in the ordinariness of life. After listening, they invite you to practice this prayer form using songs you enjoy and share the titles of those songs at www.gbres.org/podcast
Announcements
Ruby and Res
Ruby is sad that Deacon Don is retiring.
She's going to miss him but is thankful for all the ear scratches he gave.
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