Larry Rossini and William Bitzer are among 23 aspirants to the permanent diaconate who took part in the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on Oct. 12 at All Saints Church in Knoxville.
Photo by Dan McWilliams
The men are two and a half years into their studies for the diaconate, and they have about two and a half years remaining.
Bishop Richard F. Stika presided at the candidacy Mass. Concelebrants were Father Charlie Burton, Father Ron Franco, CSP, Father Pontian Kiyimba, and host pastor Father Michael Woods. More than 20 permanent deacons attended as well.
The new deacon candidates are Hicks Armor, William D. Bitzer,
Aspirants to the Diocese of Knoxville’s permanent diaconate take part in the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on Oct. 12 at All Saints Church. From left are Gilbert Campos, Bernard Feldhaus, Al Forsythe, Don Griffith, Michael Humphreys, Scott Maentz, and Dennis Meinert.
Following the homily, the deacon aspirants were called forward individually. Bishop Stika then questioned the group, and after the recitation of the Creed, invited all present to pray for the aspirants.
Mr. Armor proclaimed the first reading of the Mass in English, and Mr. Vargas proclaimed the second reading in Spanish.
