40 Years of Serving through Charity, Word and liturgy

The Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Dubuque

CHARITY

Deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others and finding ways to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequitites that cause such needs.

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WORD

Deacons proclaim the Gospel of Christ in words and deeds – with family, on the job, in the parish and in the community.

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LITURGY

Deacons, as liturgical ministers, baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages and conduct wake and funeral services.

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Welcome to our Deacon Community’s 40th Anniversary web site.

On behalf of our deacon community, I invite you to celebrate this special anniversary with us. Since the first 15 men who were ordained Permanent Deacons on November 5, 1978, we deacons have served the Archdiocese of Dubuque in Word, Charity, and Liturgy for the past 40 years. Since most of us are married, our wives have been an important part of our life and ministry as Permanent Deacons. We hope this web site will help you better understand the joy we have found in the formation, ministry, and life of Permanent Deacons in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Deacon Tom Lang,
Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, July 1, 2001 – August 9, 2019

The 40th Anniversary logo is rich in symbolism.

The year 1978 represents the year to the first Permanent Deacons to be Ordained in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The current year of 2018 completes the 40 years being celebrated, which is depicted by the large number 40 in the center, as well as the words curved around the top. Within the center of the logo are symbols for the Permanent Deacon’s three-fold ministries of Liturgy, Word, and Charity: the cross with the white stole depicts the Liturgical role; the Book of the Gospels represents the Deacon’s role of the Word; and picture and bowl, traditional symbols of Jesus’ washing of feet, illustrates the role of Charity.

This imagery is surrounded by a ruby red ring and ribbon to emphasize the 40th Anniversary.