Two men were ordained as permanent deacons on Saturday 4 September.

Mark Paine (pictured left) and Gary O’Brien (pictured right) were ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Archbishop Bernard Longley (centre) at St Chad’s Cathedral.

The pair were ordained in front of family and friends and the celebration was also live streamed.

They join Jim Brannan, Peter Crosby and Krzystzof Wasilewski – ordained in July – as new Permanent Deacons this year.

The word deacon derives from the Greek diakonia, meaning "service," thereby indicating that a deacon is called like Christ to be a servant. The Order of Deacon has three essential functions: the proclamation of the Gospel, the service of the liturgy, and the administration of charitable works.

The celebration of the Sacrament of Ordination of a Deacon is similar in form to that of a priest – by prayer and the laying on of hands, as described from the earliest days of the Church – but the beautiful Prayer of Consecration emphasises the essential nature of the diaconate, a call to service.

The new deacons will be serving the following parishes:
Gary O’Brien - St Nicholas, Boldmere
Mark Paine - Our Lady and St Rose of Lima, Weoley Castle

Please pray for all our permanent deacons.

Read Archbishop Bernard's Homily

Becoming a Deacon - find out more

Photos by Con McHugh

Watch the Ordination Ceremony