News Release #397

Paul D. Timmerman, a seminarian for the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm, to be ordained to the Holy Order of the Diaconate on February 11

Paul D. Timmerman, son of Dennis and Shirley Timmerman of Boyd, MN and members of the Church of St. Leo in St. Leo, MN, will be ordained to the Holy Order of the Diaconate by the Most Rev. John C. Nienstedt, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm, on Saturday, February 11 at St. Leo parish at 10:30 a.m.

Timmerman is currently serving a one-year parish internship at the Church of St. Mary, New Ulm.

The very word "diaconate" or "diakonia" in Greek, means service or exercise of special works of charity and justice, particularly on behalf of the poor. As a deacon, Timmerman’s responsibilities will include assisting the priest in the celebration of the Eucharist as well as other liturgical responsibilities such as to baptize, to witness marriages, to bring Viaticum to the dying, to preside at wake ceremonies and burials. The deacon can preside at the liturgies of the Word and Communion services in the absence of a priest. He may officiate at celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours and at Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. He can also conduct public rites of blessing, offer prayer services for the sick and the dying, and administer the Church's sacramentals, as designated in the Book of Blessings.

For further information contact the New Ulm Diocesan Office of Communications, (507) 359-2966; email: cclancy@dnu.org.