CHARLOTTE — The path to becoming permanent deacons became one step shorter for 14 men from across the Diocese of Charlotte as they were instituted to the role of acolyte Feb. 14 by Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.
As acolytes, the men are now entrusted with the duties of attending to the altar, assisting the deacon and priest at Mass, and distributing Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers. This is the third important step on their way to becoming deacons, with ordination for this current group anticipated for 2027.
During the institution rite at St. Patrick Cathedral, the 14 men approached the altar one by one and knelt before the bishop. He placed a container used to hold consecrated hosts, called a ciborium, in their hands and said, “Take this vessel with bread for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.”
The 14 who became acolytes are: Francis Ahn of St. Matthew in Charlotte, John Baughman of Sacred Heart in Salisbury, Eduardo Gaspar from St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, Eric Kennedy of St. Mark in Huntersville, Timothy Knorr from Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point, Huy Le of St. Mary’s in Greensboro, Bruce Mlakar from St. Matthew, Christopher Neubauer of St. Paul the Apostle in Greensboro, Tracy Neumann of St. Therese in Mooresville, Jose Oviedo of St. James the Greater in Concord, William Parker from St. Pius X in Greensboro, William Tolone of St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte, Oswaldo Vargas of St. Joan of Arc in Candler, and Eric Yarrington of St. John the Evangelist in Waynesville.
A year earlier, Bishop Martin had instituted the same 14 men as lectors, and in his homily on Saturday he reflected on the bridge between their former and new roles.
As lectors, he said, they had the opportunity to not only proclaim the word of God for the people but to experience its power in their own lives. As acolytes, he said, they will face the responsibilities of serving at the altar as well as bringing the powerful message of the Eucharist to the people in the pews and the world outside the church walls.
“Now as acolytes, you are called to make certain that the ritual (of the Mass) is carried out in a way that gives honor and glory to God and invites the people of God to bring their lives to the altar and place their lives in communion with Christ,” Bishop Martin said.
He told the men to allow their new role as acolytes to have a profound impact on their spiritual lives. He asked them to consider: “How are you bringing your own lives to the altar?”
“You will wrestle the challenge of both being in service and also being formed by what you do as acolytes,” Bishop Martin said. “For the rest of your life you will be recognizing that ‘I am part of something bigger.’ Serving for the many but also for your own spiritual wellbeing. God is willing to do something in you.
“Seek to understand the deep spiritual meaning of what you do.”
After the Mass, the new acolytes gathered on the steps of the cathedral for photos and talked joyfully with family members and friends.
“This experience is inspiring because yet another chapter in my spiritual journey starts today,” John Baughman said.
Francis Ahn said the experience of becoming an acolyte “felt amazing.”
“It’s a wonderful feeling to just be blessed by the formation I’m receiving,” he said. “I’m so blessed that God called me to this path.”
The Mass also offered a special opportunity for more than 35 deacons from around the diocese to renew the promises they made at their own ordinations. They stood and answered a series of questions from Bishop Martin about the continued commitment they will show for their faith and duties as deacons, starting with: “Do you resolve to discharge the office of deacon with humble charity in order to assist the priestly order and to benefit the Christian people?”
Those promises brought back memories of 38 years in the permanent diaconate for Deacon Ron Caplette, who is retired but still serves at St. Aloysius in Hickory. At 89, Caplett, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, is the oldest permanent deacon in the diocese. He said renewing his promises led him to look back on his years of service at his current parish as well as St. Joseph in Newton and St. Francis of Assisi in Lenoir.
“Being a deacon has been a wonderful journey for me,” Deacon Caplette said. “I have experienced God in so many different ways, especially when I was working with terminally ill people and doing work in hospitals.”
Deacon Caplette felt joy as he watched the 14 men become acolytes.
“It’s wonderful to see a new group of prospective deacons and rewarding to know that, as some of us seniors retire, there are new men coming in who are receiving great instruction and are ready to serve.”
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull.
