Aug. 19, 2015

Five deacons and two wives of deacons have been elected to serve on the newly formed Council of Deacons.
The group was formed to provide “prayerful, open reflection and fraternal dialogue among the deacons of the diocese in collaboration with the bishops and priests.”

Bishop Terry R. LaValley signed the constitution of the new council during the Deacon Convocation held in May in Lake Placid.

The bishop already meets regularly with an elected Council of Priests and Council of Consecrated Life.

The members of the Council of Deacons are:
• Deacon Paul M. White of Westport, representing Adirondack, Essex and Hamilton-Herkimer deaneries
• Deacon Henry Leader of Gouverneur, representing St. Lawrence Deanery
• Deacon Kevin T. Mastellon of Watertown, representing Jefferson and Lewis deaneries
• Deacon John A. Levison of Ellenburg Center, representing Clinton and Franklin deaneries
• Deacon Thomas F. Kilian of Ogdensburg, representing deacons in diocesan offices, chaplains, retired or disabled deacons
• Gayle Frank of Clayton and Kathleen Mastellon of Watertown, representing deacons’ wifes and widows.

Father James W. Seymour, vicar for pastoral personnel and Deacon John L. White,  diocesan director of deacon formation will serve as ex officio members of the council.

The group will hold its first meeting Oct. 10 in the Bishop Brzana Hall of St. Mary’s Cathedral.