Members of the community of deacons in the Diocese gathered earlier this month to elect a new chair. The Deacon Community Board meets regularly as a supportive body to address the many aspects of the permanent deacons currently in the Diocese, including their physical and spiritual health, fraternal support in their ministries, and assistance to support deacons and their spouses who are ill. The board also assists in planning retreats and days of reflection for the deacon community.
Former Chair, Deacon Gregory Amarante, was elected in August of 2021, just prior to his appointment as Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Life and Evangelization two months later. With the permission of Bishop Ronald Gainer and according to the board’s by-laws, Deacon Amarante resigned as chair in order to manage the demands of the secretariat, and Deacon Peter Jupin of St. John Neumann Parish in Lancaster was appointed by Bishop Gainer to fulfill Deacon Amarante’s term.
At their recent meeting, the board elected Deacon Bryan Salzmann of St. Patrick Parish in Carlisle to serve as Chair.
(Photo by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
