Home Page Home Page Events Events Photos Photos Diocese of Ogdensburg Home Page  
Follow Us on Facebook


Archives 13 installed as acolytes

May 5, 2021

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

OGDENSBURG – Thirteen men from around the diocese were installed to the Rite of Acolyte by Bishop Terry R. LaValley at Wadhams Hall on Friday, April 30.

As acolytes, the men, studying for the permanent diaconate and scheduled for ordination in October, are charged with assisting the deacon and the priest in liturgical celebrations, the Mass in particular.

Bishop LaValley told the aspiring deacons that he is praying “that our God of mercy will instill within you a lifelong desire to grow always in faith and love and so build up the Church.”

“Notice the action words,” Bishop LaValley said. “Grow and build. I chose an action word for my Episcopal Motto: ‘Follow Me.’ Action means movement. I cannot grow, I cannot build nor follow if I am inactive, if I stay put where I am. There can be no growth nor building, no following if I become comfortable with what I know, or think I know; if I am content with my relationship with my God, if I think I know the answers to all the ills of the world and of the Church; If I get stuck with a mindset and attitude that inhibits God’s Spirit from entering my prayer and maybe changing my life.”

Bishop LaValley encouraged the men to continue practices that feed their faith.

“These exercises have become an important part of your lives: the Liturgy of the Hours, Holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration, spiritual reading, reflection on Scripture,” he said. “These prayers and devotions give you the desire to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and his body, the Church. Let these practices energize and challenge you.”

Bishop LaValley noted, though, that the men must be careful not to bend their faith to their whims.

“We can, as many do, use their version of ‘the movement of the Spirit’ as a reason or excuse for veering from Church teaching and divine law into an arrogant ‘I know better than the Church’ attitude,” he said. “Certainly, such an attitude has infiltrated society today, where so many design God and the Church according to their own desires and wishes. However, a dynamic relationship with Jesus pulsates with an obedient, sacrificial heart that yearns to follow the Lord. Such a heart does not expect the Lord to follow the creature’s whims.”

Aided by Deacon John Drollette, director of Deacon Formation, Bishop LaValley celebrated the Rite of Acolyte with Randy Besio of Massena, Gerry Bouchard of Cape Vincent, James Carlin of Plattsburgh, Brent Davison of Plattsburgh, Daniel LeRoy of Theresa, Mike Lieber of Constableville, Ken Lushia of West Chazy, Roderic Roca of Ogdensburg, Lee Trudeau of Brushton, Robert Uttendorfsky of Lowville, Noel Voos of Evans Mills, Mark Webster of West Chazy and Peter Woolschlager of Croghan.

North Country Catholic North Country Catholic is
honored by Catholic Press
Association of US & Canada

Copyright © Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. All rights reserved.