Celebrating our Diaconal Ordinations
Thursday 2nd January 2025We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Deacon Paul Chisnall and Deacon Theo Sharrock on their ordination to the transitional diaconate in December.
The transitional diaconate, in contrast to the lifelong ministry of the permanent diaconate, is an important step on a man’s journey to the priesthood, highlighting service as the basis and foundation of any ministry in the Church.
Reflecting on this journey so far, Deacon Theo said: “It has been a great joy to enter into diaconal service of God’s people in the last few months. I have particularly enjoyed my experiences of preaching and of walking with people through different aspects of their lives, especially accompanying families as they prepare for the funeral of their loved ones. I am very grateful to the people of Burnley, both in the parish and the schools, for their welcome and their accompaniment on this final stage of priestly formation.”
Deacon Paul explained a little more about this stage of ministry and what is has meant to him so far, saying: “All priests are deacons, but not all deacons are priests. To become a priest, one must first become a deacon, and because I am preparing for ordination to the priesthood, I am transitioning from one degree of holy orders to another, and hence the term ‘transitional deacon’.
“When you’re learning to drive a car, you’re taught what is expected of you and you learn it in a mechanical fashion. Things can seem process driven and a bit unnatural – “make sure you do this first, and then do this next;” “when you see this thing, don’t forget to do this.”
Training to be a priest can be like this, and this is why life as a deacon is how I expected it to be. But when you finally pass your driving test and you’re out on the road alone, things start to feel more natural. Instead of feeling like a process that needs to be followed meticulously, driving starts to feel like it was meant for you, like you were born to do it. Being ordained is like this.
For many years, I have believed that God is calling me to the religious life, to life as an ordained minister. But it was only after I had been ordained that I experienced how natural it feels, like I was born to do it. I hoped all along that I would feel this way, but it was still surprising when I did. Thanks be to Jesus and His mother.”
Tagged | Vocations
