KINGSTON — On Saturday, June 7, the Most Reverend Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., ordained seminarian Vincent “Jay” Zizza a deacon at Christ the King Church, Kingston.
“Through the laying on of hands, and the handing on of the Gospels, you become a man of the Word,” Bishop Lewandowski told Zizza. “And as you take the work of the Gospels in your own hands today, I pray that you feel the full weight of the Gospel, not just in your ears, but in your heart.”
The bishop encouraged the new deacon to let God’s Word be a source of hope and inspiration. “Let it be the reason you get out of bed every morning.”
“Today when you leave this place, you go as a man of the Word,” said the bishop. “Let our celebration today transform and make you into the living Word that we proclaim, to the living Word that we strive to follow, into the living Word who is our only hope of salvation.”
A deacon serves the people of God in the ministries of liturgy, the Word, and charity. Deacons may baptize, proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass, distribute Holy Communion, witness marriages, and lead rites of Christian burial.
Father Ryan W. Connors, rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary, said that this ordination was a special grace for the Diocese of Providence.
“Christ the King Parish offered the most excellent hospitality, the bishop gave a truly inspiring homily on becoming a man of the Word of God, and the people were overjoyed to receive a new servant of God’s Word. Deacon Jay Zizza is a man of spiritual depth who will serve our diocese very well in the years to come. We are grateful to God for his vocation.”
For Deacon Zizza, the day was truly incredible because it showed him how much God has cultivated his heart over the years.
“I would have never imagined the day to be so joyful, I honestly began seminary with lots of doubts and worries. But over the years, Jesus, the divine carpenter, has carved my heart in such a way that it truly rests in him and I am very thankful for his good work,” he said. “I would ask all to be courageous with their trust in God. He truly knows our hearts. He truly is our desire. Be not afraid of what God may have in store for you.”
