Bishop Thomas J. Tobin addresses a gathering of the diocese’s permanent deacons following morning prayer during the annual Diaconate Convocation, held on Feb. 6 at the Radisson Hotel in Warwick. The bishop spoke of how the ministry of the permanent deacon is a manifestation of the ideals of the Year of Mercy being celebrated. “You became ministers and missionaries of mercy. You’re doing wonderful work all around the diocese,” Bishop Tobin told them. The daylong program also featured speakers, including Deacon Daniel O’Connor, of the Diocese of Bridgeport, who reflected on his role as a first responder following the 2012 Sandy Hook School shootings in Newtown, Conn., where he and his wife reside.
