Photo by Michael P. Mauer
program every other year in order to
prepare men to eventually serve in
ordained ministry as permanent deacons.
Deacons along with bishops and priests
constitute the three levels of ordained
ministry in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh currently has
about 100 permanent deacons plus 15 men
in the Deacon Formation Program.
Although deacons often assist priests at
Mass, preach on occasion, and sometimes
preside at baptisms, weddings, funeral
services, and other liturgical functions, the
primary focus of their ministry is rooted in
works of service and charity.
Deacons may be called upon to minister
to those who are sick, elderly, imprisoned,
hungry, poor, lonely, and forgotten. They
might work with
immigrants,
youths and
young adults,
those in special
need, or those
on the fringes of
society. Many deacons work to share the
faith by catechizing and evangelizing. Some
deacons also have administrative duties in
the church.
A prospective deacon should be a man
of solid faith, deep spirituality, and good
reputation and character. He should be
fully initiated into the sacramental life
of the Catholic Church and living in
conformity with all of its teachings. He also
should be physically, psychologically, and
emotionally healthy; generously willing
to serve the diocesan church; and capable
of assuming a leadership role and working
well with a diversity of people.
Applicants must be between the ages
of 30 and 59. They should have at least a
bachelor’s degree and be able to financially
support themselves and their family. A
married applicant must be in a stable,
well-established marriage and have the full
support of his wife to enter the formation
program, which lasts at least five years.
To begin the process, a prospective
applicant’s pastor must submit a
nomination on his behalf. The deadline
for nominations is September 15, 2016.
Applications without a nomination will not
be considered.
For more information, contact the
Diocese of Pittsburgh Deacon Formation
Program: [email protected] or
412.456.3124. n
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin Quartermaster Gary Ruston, left, and
Commander Jake Bradich proudly display the certificates awarding the unit the status of All
State Post. The West Mifflin veterans service organization has earned this title for the second
straight year.
WEST MIFFLIN VFW
EARNS SECOND
STRAIGHT ALL STATE
HONORS
Patriotic celebrations associated with
Independence Day brought some added
fireworks to a local Mon Valley veterans
service organization recently. Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West
Mifflin earned the title of All State Post for
the second straight year.
Post Commander Jake Bradich and
Quartermaster Gary Ruston each received
commendations noting the achievement
at the unit’s June 30 meeting at the
Thompson Run Athletic Club on Ball
Avenue in West Mifflin.
To be selected as an All State Post,
Bradich and the other VFW 914
members had to accomplish a long list
of service-oriented goals outlined by the
commonwealth’s VFW headquarters. Last
year, less than 15 percent of Pennsylvania’s
460 VFW Posts were feted during the
Department of PA VFW’s state convention
for earning the title of All State Posts.
Examples of these good works include
supporting student scholarship programs,
visiting hospitalized veterans, and
participating in fundraising to assist the
VFW’s network of service officers.
Over the past two decades, the post has
also regularly participated in ceremonies in
the Borough of West Mifflin for Memorial
Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day. Additionally, its honor
guard and rifle team have flown the colors
and fired salutes at the annual openings of
youth league sporting events.
Other community groups that the
post has supported over the years include
Scouting, the West Mifflin Area Senior
High School Air Force Junior Reserve
Officer Training Corps, and the Greater
Pittsburgh Soapbox Derby. In addition to
the VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s
Pen programs, the post has also funded and
awarded its own Walt Kuczma Scholarship
Program.
With its visibility in the community and
focus on service, finding new members
hasn’t been a problem for VFW Post
914 Intrepid. From its initial chartered
membership of 37 veterans in 1991, the
unit’s roster has swollen to more than
three-and-a-half times that amount. The
post has active members who served
more than 70 years ago in World War
II up through those who have recently
returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. For
more information about the post and its
activities, visit its website at http://traa.
weebly.com/vfw-post-914.html.
West Mifflin | Fall 2016 | icmags.com 7