2024 Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate

On Saturday, June 15th, 2024, Camille Johnson, Michael Kuhl and Richard Olson were ordained to the Diaconate for the Diocese of Hamilton during a beautiful Mass held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King.

In front of celebrating priest Bishop Douglas Crosby, with concelebrants including Bishop Wayne Lobsinger and other priests, deacons, parishioners, family and friends, they promised obedience to Bishop Douglas Crosby and his successors. Each had hands laid upon them by Bishop Crosby and were vested in stole. All three deacons received the Book of the Gospels as Bishop Crosby exhorted them to: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, practice what you teach.”

Permanent Deacons serves the Church and the Diocese in a designated service in a hospital, or prison, or other forms of charitable outreach. In addition, the deacon is assigned to a parish, as his liturgical base, where he assists the pastor, as needed, in liturgical ministry which may take the form of assisting at mass, preaching, baptising, presiding at weddings or funerals, or in other capacities within the parish.

The ordained Deacons are appointed to serve in the following Parishes:

• Reverend Mr. Camille Johnson: St. John the Baptist Parish, Burlington
• Reverend Mr. Michael Kuhl: Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kitchener
• Reverend Mr. Richard Olson: Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Parish, Kitchener

We congratulate and warmly welcome them to their ministry for the Diocese! See below for a livestream and photo gallery from this year’s Permanent Deacon Ordination.