Robb Caputo of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Leonore is presented a ciborium by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, during the Rite of Institution of Acolytes for members of the diocese's tenth class of permanent deacons Aug. 20 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria.(The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Twenty-four men who are entering their final year of preparation for ordination in the permanent diaconate were installed into the ministry of acolyte by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, during a joy-filled Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral  on Saturday, Aug. 20.

But while the bishop led the assembly in robust applause for the class members as they took this important step, he also reminded them that “the story isn’t about us, it’s about the Lord and his people.”

Members of the permanent class process into St. Mary’s Cathedral. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

“Jesus did not come into the world to be served, but to serve,” and service is at the heart of the diaconate, said Bishop Jenky. Calling to mind words they will hear during the ordination rite next May, Bishop Jenky told the class members they must always “practice what you preach.”

“We have to live what we say we believe,” said Bishop Jenky before the class members left their places with their wives and families to process into the sanctuary one-by-one. Kneeling before Bishop Jenky, they touched the ciborium containing hosts to be consecrated for the Mass.

As acolytes, the deacon candidates may assist in liturgical celebrations, including distributing Communion when appropriate. As they touched the vessel, Bishop Jenky urged them to “make your life worthy of this service at the table of the Lord and his church.”

The Rite of Institution of Acolyte began with Msgr. Timothy Nolan, episcopal vicar for the permanent diaconate, calling class members by name, who responded by answering “present.” After their acceptance by Bishop Jenky, the class members received the applause from those in the cathedral, including dozens of permanent deacons of the diocese and many of their parish priests who came to show their prayerful support.

Dozens of permanent deacons from throughout the Diocese of Peoria applaud as members of Class X are accepted into the ministry of acolyte. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Msgr. Paul Showalter, vicar general, was principal celebrant of the Mass. Bishop Jenky presided at the chair, explaining that he had just had cataract surgery, and because of complications he was unable to read and joking “we’re not supposed to make up the words” for the Mass.

“They tell me I’ll be able to see again in a couple of weeks,” said Bishop Jenky, who stayed following the Mass for group as well as individual photos with the members of the deacon class.

The class members instituted into the ministry of acolyte are listed below. The list also includes the names of their wives and parishes.

Robb Caputo (Mary Jean), Holy Family, Oglesby

Robert DePauw (Pamela), St. John the Baptist, Rapids City

Hector Diaz (Maria), Holy Cross, Mendota

Michael Driscoll (Mary), St. Patrick, Ottawa

Michael Evers (Patricia), St. Theresa, Earlville

Michael Harris (Brenda), Blessed Sacrament, Morton

Mark Jackson (Karen), Christ the King, Moline

Joseph Knapp (Jodi), Holy Trinity, Bloomington

John Kusek (Susan), Nativity of Our Lord, Spring Valley

Faustino Lopez (Josepha), St. Mary, Champaign

Guadalupe Lopez (Ramona), St. Malachy, Rantoul

Wendell Lowry III (Brenda), Holy Family, Lincoln

Albert Lundy (Sharon), Holy Trinity, Bloomington

Edmund Mallow Jr. (Catherine), St. Thomas the Apostle, Peoria Heights

Thomas Mann (Linda), Immaculate Conception, Monmouth

Joseph McCleary, Immaculate Conception, Monmouth

Daniel Moffitt (Deborah), Sts. Peter and Paul, Nauvoo

Anthony Nickrent (Michele), Our Lady of the Lake, Mahomet

Daniel O’Connor (Verene), St. Joseph, Peru

Marshall Plumley (Valerie), St. Anthony, Atkinson

Mark Scamp (Margo), St. Joseph, Pekin

Michael Sigwalt (Barbara), St. Malachy, Geneseo

Ronald Wackerlin, St. Joseph, Marseilles

Todd Weber (Kim), St. Patrick, Wapella

Members of Class X pose with Bishop Jenky following the Mass. Seated with the bishop are Msgr. Paul Showalter, P.A., vicar general (left), and Msgr. Timothy Nolan, episcopal vicar for the permanent diaconate. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)