Bishop installs 12 diaconate candidates to the Ministry of Acolyte -

By Tim Lilley

The Message editor

The candidates joined Bishop Joseph M. Siegel and Deacon Thomas Evans, director of the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Evansville, for this photo after Mass. Shown are Kevin Kilmer, front row left, Bob Martin, Gary Keepes, Lonny Davis, Ed Walker, Jorge Melendres, Danny Wheeler, Mark Theiman, back row left, Ron Cardinal, Bishop Siegel, Dan Niemeier, Deacon Tom Evans, Brian McCammon and Pat Herman. The Message photos by Tim Lilley

VINCENNES – During the 5 p.m. EDT Mass at St. Francis Xavier Parish’s Sacred Heart Church on Sept. 18, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel instituted 12 candidates for the Diocese of Evansville’s permanent diaconate to the Ministry of Acolyte. In this role, they will assist priests and deacons during Mass.

The candidates, who are are scheduled to be ordained in the summer of 2022, include: Ron Cardinal, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Vincennes; Lonny Davis, St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh; Pat Herman, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Vincennes; Gary Keepes, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Petersburg; Kevin Kilmer, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Vincennes; Bob Martin, St. Philip Parish, Posey County; Brian McCammon, St. Mary Parish, Sullivan; Jorge Melendres, St. Benedict Cathedral Parish, Evansville; Dan Niemeier, Resurrection Parish, Evansville; Mark Theiman, St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh; Ed Walker, Resurrection Parish, Evansville; and Danny Wheeler, St. Wendel Parish, St. Wendel.

During his homily, Bishop Siegel reminded candidates that their ministry is a gift from God, who has chosen them.

During his homily, the bishop reminded the candidates that their ministry is a gift from God, who has chosen them. He urged them to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion as often as they can, and to frequently spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

He asked them to continue developing habits of prayer, study and ongoing formation. He called their formation an essential part of being a person more closely united to the Eucharist, adding that their lives should become more like that of Christ.

Noting that service as a permanent deacon sometimes involves personal sacrifice, Bishop Siegel called the candidates to welcome those sacrifices as signs of a closer relationship with Christ. In closing, he urged the candidates to be courageous, compelling and charitable in their service.

Following the homily, the candidates came forward for the institution. Bishop Siegel blessed them then called each candidate individually, who held the chalice used for the Mass as the bishop prayed:

“Take this vessel with wine for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.”

Joining Bishop Siegel, center, at the altar during the Mass were Father Garrett Braun, left, parochial vicar of St. Francis Xavier Parish and St. Philip Neri Parish in Bicknell; Deacon Paul Vonderwell, who serves St. Francis Xavier and St. Philip Neri parishes; Diocese of Evansville Director of Worship Matt Miller, who served as master of ceremonies; Father Tony Ernst, administrator of St. Francis Xavier and St. Philip Neri parishes; and Deacon Thomas Evans of St. Matthew Parish in Mount Vernon, who serves as director of the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Evansville. The Message photo by Tim Lilley

Diaconate Candidate Kevin Kilmer of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vincennes holds the chalice used in the celebration of Mass as Bishop Siegel prays over him. The bishop repeated this for all 12 candidates. The Message photo by Tim Lilley

Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated the 5 p.m. EDT Mass at St. Francis Xavier Parish’s Sacred Heart Church in Vincennes Sept. 18, during which he installed 12 candidates for the Diocese of Evansville’s permanent diaconate to the Ministry of Acolyte. The Message photo by Tim Lilley

Bishop Siegel blesses the 12 candidates for the permanent diaconate, who are scheduled to be ordained in the summer of 2022. The Message photo by Tim Lilley