PAWTUCKET — Deacons are ordained for service to Christ and his Church. This beautiful service was on display at St. John the Baptist Parish in Pawtucket as Rev. Mr. Vicente Caban, who serves as the deacon of the parish, was recently recognized for his 25th anniversary of diaconal ordination.
“It is an honor to be here for 25 years. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s good, bringing the Gospel to the people, sharing with people, with family, with everyone around. It’s so wonderful,” said Deacon Caban.
The anniversary Mass for Deacon Caban was celebrated by Archbishop Richard G. Henning and concelebrated by Father Brian M. Sistare, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish. Also in attendance were a group of deacons from throughout the Diocese of Providence.
Ordained to the diaconate in 1999, Deacon Caban recalled when he first realized his vocation to serve the Church and how he was initially inspired by his father, a devout man who was deeply involved in the Catholic Church.
“I was always involved in church since I was a kid,” Deacon Caban said. “My father was the leader of this and when I grew up, I always said, ‘I want to follow my father’s footsteps.’”
Although his father was not a member of the clergy, Deacon Caban noted that many of the virtues that define the clerical life were exemplified by him.
“He was not a deacon, but he had the qualities of a deacon,” Deacon Caban noted.
In his sermon, Archbishop Henning emphasized how the center of the Christian faith is hope.
“When people hope, it changes them,” said Archbishop Henning. “It is the very fact of hoping which actually begins to make a difference in the lives of so many.”
This reality applies to the clergy in a particular manner. Turning to the deacons, Archbishop Henning said, “To be a deacon is to be, first and foremost, a man of hope. You have placed your hope in Jesus Christ, who is our healing and our reconciliation, the one who offers himself completely to our father in order to draw us close to our father’s heart.”
To be a man of hope expresses itself most highly in a life of service, Archbishop Henning added.
“In the very act of giving yourself over to the service of the Church…you become not only a man of hope, but you become hope for others — for hope is what brings us as human beings to care for one another.”
Madelyn O’Callahan, Deacon Caban’s daughter, noted how her father’s ministry has influenced every part of his life.
“Religion was a huge part of our upbringing,” said O’ Callahan, going on to describe how both her parents were involved in a variety of different ministries in the parish. “He should be celebrated.”
Deacon Cabal described the most pertinent lesson he has learned in his diaconal ministry.
“You have to be patient with people, to share the faith with people, to keep it going. Difficult times often happen, but with the Lord here, you can always do it.”
“There are no words to describe today’s celebration, seeing so many deacon-brothers that are here to show their support. To be with them, my God, it’s so wonderful,” Deacon Cabal said.
To learn more about the Diaconate Program of Formation in the Diocese of Providence, visit
https://dioceseofprovidence.org/deacon-formation-program