Monroe, Lackawanna County men ordained as deacons at Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton
Bishop Joseph C. Bambera ordained eight northeast Pennsylvania men as permanent deacons in November, including men from Lackawanna and Monroe County.
The newly-minted deacons join ranks of the clergy who minister to parishes throughout the Diocese of Scranton. Three of the new Deacons reside in Lackawanna County, two in Luzerne and Lycoming counties, and the final Deacon is from Monroe County.
Bishop Bambera ordained the following men on Nov. 26: John F. Bankus, John F. Bubb, Martin J. Castaldi, Matthew R. Eisley, Thomas A. Kostic, Steven J. Miller, Nicholas M. Rocco, and Frank H. Zeranski.
The deacons will complete a five-year formation program and become members of the threefold ordained ministry that also includes bishops and priests.
"The deacon’s service has three aspects: word, worship and charity." The diocese said in a press release. "He can perform certain ministerial functions such as administering baptism; serving as the deacon at the Mass, including proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homily and distributing Holy Communion; bringing viaticum to the sick; presiding at wake services, funeral liturgies and burial rites and with permission by the pastor, may celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony."
Deacons also may minister to the needs of families, single parents, students, the aged and infirmed, the imprisoned and those who suffer from poverty or addictions.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Northeast Pennsylvania men ordained as permanent Catholic deacons