A joyful McShane family gathers around Bishop Jenky after the May 20 Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria. Pictured from left are John and Diane McShane, parents of newly ordained transitional Deacon Daniel McShane; brother Michael McShane; and brother Andrew McShane with wife, Jackie, and daughter Sears. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

As the church celebrated the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost last Sunday, that same Spirit was being called upon as Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, ordained Daniel McShane to be a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Peoria.

“Strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, he will help the bishop and his priests in a ministry of word, of the altar, and of charity, showing himself to be the servant of all,” the bishop said during the Solemn Mass for the Ordination of a Deacon on May 20 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.

Bishop Jenky lays his hands on Daniel McShane’s head as part of the Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate on May 20. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Just as Jesus came among his disciples as one who served, deacons must do the will of God from the heart, Bishop Jenky said, and “serve the people in love and joy, as you would the Lord.”

He added that the new deacon would not be only a hearer of the Gospel now, but its minister.

“Never allow yourself to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel,” Bishop Jenky said. “Express by your actions the word of God, which your lips will now proclaim so that the Christian people brought to life by the Spirit, may be a pure offering accepted by God.”

SPECIAL BOOK OF THE GOSPELS

With his parents, John and Diane McShane of Lincoln, looking on from the front pew, McShane responded “I do” as the bishop asked about his intention to enter the Order of the Diaconate. He promised “to keep forever the commitment to remain celibate as a sign of your dedication to Christ the Lord for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the service of God and man,” to “maintain and deepen the spirit of prayer that is proper to your way of life” and to celebrate faithfully the Liturgy of the Hours.

Kneeling before Bishop Jenky and placing his joined hands between those of the bishop, McShane then promised “respect and obedience” to Bishop Jenky and his successors.

After laying face down on the floor of the cathedral sanctuary while the Litany of the Saints was sung, McShane returned to the bishop and knelt before him for the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration.

Deacon McShane vested with a stole and dalmatic, assisted by Deacon Ryan Mattingly, and then returned to kneel before Bishop Jenky one more time as the Book of the Gospels was presented to him. The book used at this Mass belonged to the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

“Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach,” Bishop Jenky told him.

Diaconal ministry includes service at the altar. Here Deacon Daniel McShane prepares the chalices filled with wine for consecration. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

The rite concluded with a sign of peace from Bishop Jenky; Deacon Mattingly and Deacon Andru O’Brien, who will be ordained to the priesthood this Saturday, May 26; and the permanent deacons present.

The new deacon remained in the sanctuary for the rest of the Mass, helping to prepare the altar and pouring the wine into the chalices for consecration, among other things.

“WONDERFUL WITNESS”

Bishop Jenky was suffering from severe back pain, so while he presided at the ordination, the Liturgy of the Eucharist was celebrated by Msgr. James Kruse, vicar general.

After Mass, Bishop Jenky returned to the sanctuary for photos with Deacon McShane and his family, which included his brother Andrew and Andrew’s wife Jackie, with their 3-year-old daughter Sears, and his brother Michael. Adding to the celebration were cousins Kaden and Keaton McTaggart from St. Patrick, Washington, who were altar servers for the liturgy.

Following Mass there was a light reception at the Spalding Pastoral Center.

“We’re elated. It’s a wonderful witness to Christ,” said Diane McShane, a retired family and consumer science teacher. “We’re very proud. He stuck with his heart.”

“It’s been a very special day,” added John McShane, who works in information technology for Hospital Sisters Health System.

The McShane family belongs to Holy Family Parish in Lincoln.