Kevin Kelly/Key photo From the front, candidates Mike Dennis, Jaime Diaz, Joe LeMay, Paul Muller and Doug Myler wait with Bishop Robert W. Finn to process into their Rite of Admission to Candidacy to the diocesan permanent diaconate Oct. 8 at Our Lady of Peace Church.

They are:

• Mike Dennis, of Coronation of Our Lady Parish in Grandview.
  
• Jaime Diaz, of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Kansas City.
  
• Joe LeMay, of Holy Family Parish at Whiteman Air Force Base.
  
• Paul Muller, of Our Lady of the Presentation Parish in Lee's Summit.
  
• Doug Myler, of St. John LaLande Parish in Blue Springs.

"Today, you make your first formal declaration of your candidacy," Bishop Finn told them as he officially welcomed them into a process that will lead to their ordinations in 2008.

Bishop Finn reminded the men and the congregation that included their pastors as well as their families and friends that the men "are responding to a specific vocation from Christ."

"The new rank to which these men aspire will give them new definition and responsibilities to their service to God," he said.

As deacons, they will preside at baptisms, bless marriages, bring Communion to the dying, read the Gospels at Mass, serve the poor, and function as special custodians of the Eucharist among other duties, Bishop Finn said.

But more than that, he said, they are called to holiness.

"The deacon lives out his call to holiness, seeking to get himself and others to heaven, seeking to be an image of Jesus Christ, the servant of all," Bishop Finn said.

The bishop urged the new candidates to remember always the call to be holy, and to be servants.

"In this, you will find glory," Bishop Finn said.

As they continue through the challenging process to ordination, Bishop Finn told the candidates that Jesus will be with them, as he was with his disciples in the fishing boat during a raging storm.

"Hear also the words of Jesus Christ when he called to Peter and the disciples at the moment they felt most unworthy: 'Be not afraid,'" the bishop said.

END