When the apostles realized they couldn’t meet every need, they did something radical: they shared authority and created a new way to serve. We follow that story from Acts to our parishes today—why the Church called deacons to care for widows, how the laying on of hands conferred real authority, and what servant leadership looks like when the community grows faster than clergy can respond. Along the way, we unpack the three orders of ministry, clear up what deacons actually do, and show how a parish stays human when someone quietly stops showing up.
We sit down with Fr. Hamilton and Fr. Poojo to map the practical heart of the diaconate: bringing communion to the homebound, coordinating pastoral care, baptizing, witnessing marriages outside Mass, and leading funeral rites. They explain the difference between transitional and permanent deacons, the formation each receives, and why married deacons offer a grounded voice for couples and families. The thread running through it all is service—as Jesus showed at the Last Supper, authority is credible only when it kneels to wash feet. Even bishops wear the deacon’s garment beneath the chasuble at key liturgies to keep that truth close.
If your pulse quickens at the words service, charity, and presence, this conversation offers a clear window into vocation. The Church’s needs keep growing—fewer priests, more parishes, and countless people on the margins who still long to be seen. Deacons bridge that gap, turning the Gospel into action where it’s needed most. Listen for a grounded, hopeful look at how the diaconate strengthens community, honors apostolic tradition, and keeps mercy moving through everyday life.
If this spoke to you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. Ready to take a step? Reach out to the office of the permanent diaconate or the office of priestly formation to start the conversation.

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Jordan Whiteko, Father Andrew Hamilton, Father Christopher Pujol, Vincent Reilly, Cliff Gorski, John Zylka, Sarah Hartner