Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.
For more information on church doctrine concerning the sacrament of holy Orders, the Office for the Catechism maintains an online Catechism.
Those interested in becoming priests, deacons, religious brothers or nuns should contact the parish office or the Diocesan Office of Vocations. For information concerning the permanent diaconate, contact the parish office or the Diocesan Office of Diaconate Formation.
Saint Theresa Church has four ordained deacons who are assigned by Daniel Cardinal Di Nardo to work in parishes or hospitals. Deacon Larry Vaclavik is assigned to work at Saint Theresa as well as take on leadership assignments; Deacon Antonio Moya is assigned to serve at Saint Jerome Parish as well as assist at the Spanish Mass on Sundays at Saint Theresa; Deacon Rodolfo Cerda is assigned to serve at All Saints Parish as well as assist at the Spanish Mass on Sundays at Saint Theresa; Deacon John Froning is assigned to serve at hospitals in the Medical Center as well as serve at Saint Theresa Church. These faithful family men have answered the call to serve a vocation of service in support of the priesthood.
More information is available through the Diocese's Web site.