Meet Deacon Henry!
Soft spoken with a generous heart and always wearing a smile, Deacon Henry
called to service by the Holy Spirit, exemplifies “diakonia” the Greek word that encompasses the call to serve the poor andoppressed.  Deacon Henry was ordained as a Permanent Deacon along with six other men in November, 2019. He is married and with his wife Kathy have nine children and 4 grand children. His family joined All Saints Parish when they moved to the region in 1999 from London and as a teacher he truly appreciates the
role parents play as the primary educators of their children. His interests include volleyball and basketball (he loves to think he can still play them) and he would tell you that the older he gets, the better he was. He has been active in parish litu rgy, sacramental prep, and other leadership roles in the Family of Parishes. He is also a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and the Knights of Columbus. Henry has been blessed by, and is inspired by, the many parishioners of the West Middlesex Catholic Family of Parishes and hopes to actively serve the community for many years to come.
People often wonder what a deacon does. Firstly, there are two forms of the diaconate: the
transitional diaconate, which is a step towards priesthood, and the permanent deaconate. A permanent deacon is usually married, and often still working in the community at a regular job. A deacon is expected to support himself and his family financially through his own means. Although a deacon receives the same sacr ament of Holy Orders as a t r ansitional deacon and is ordained by the Bishop, his calling is different than the call to the priesthood. A deacon is incorporated into Christ through service in the three ministries of Charity, Word and Sacrament, extending t he service of the Bishop and his delegate (the Pastor) to the local community. The ministry of Charity is a particular covenant of service to those in need, for example visiting the sick and home bound. In this ministry the deacon joins others in service and invites others into service. As a minister of the Word, the
deacon proclaims the Gospel at Mass and may sometimes give a homily. A deacon also has permission from the Bishop to preside at baptisms, marriages, and funeral liturgies when Mass is not celebrated at these liturgies. In addition, there are other liturgical actions that are proper to a deacon.
The formation and study program for permanent deacons consists of four years of part time studies in Theology, Scripture, Ecclesiology and more. Prior to this is a year of completing different stages of the application process and beginning to learn what the diaconate is all about.
When the permanent diaconate and the sacrament of marriage, which are both sacraments of service, are lived in grace, they mutually bare fruit by witnessing to Christ's love for all of us, His bride.
Henry is always happy to speak about the diaconate. Approach him anytime to hear more!
By the way, Deacon Henry’s favourite scripture passage is Matt 11:28. Check it out! Share your thoughts on the passage with him. Don’t be shy!