Timmerman to be ordained to the diaconate in February

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 diaconate by Bishop John C. Nienstedt on February 11 at St. Leo parish at 10:30 a.m.

Paul 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 ministry. In the ordination to the diaconate, the deacon is called to exercise special works of charity and justice, particularly on behalf of the poor. He has specific responsibilities in assisting the priest in the celebration of the Eucharist. He has other liturgical responsibilities: 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 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.