Newspaper Page Text
Vol. 100 No. 12 Thursday, June 11,2020
Put Faith in Your Opinions
southerncross-sav.org
The Diaconate Ordination class of 2020, with, left of center, Deacon Kelly Culver, center, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer OFM Conv., and Bishop J.
Kevin Boland pose for a photo from the steps of Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Photograph by Michael J. Johnson.
Crogg
The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Savannah
Diaconate Ordination brings tears
and cheers for newly ordained
BY DONNELL SUGGS
dsuggs@diosav.org
SAVANNAH, Ga - The high school coach tried to stop
himself from crying but the tears made their way
down his cheeks despite his efforts. Newly ordained
permanent deacon Kevin Knight, upon leaving the
Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Savannah
following the completion of Ordination to the Order
of the Diaconate Saturday, May 30, had to do what
ever he could “to not cry in front of my guys,” he said
later on. Dozens of student-athletes held a sign that
read “Congratulations Coach Knight” on the sidewalk
below the church steps. The surprise he and his wife
witnessed was one for the ages. “I had no clue,” said
Knight, one of 14 men ordained that morning. “That
was great to see that level of support from [them]. It’s
been a long journey and I’m happy about how every
thing turned out.”
Of the 14, a pair were ordained as transitional
deacons, Christopher Awilibia and Emmanuel Kyere
Antwi, and a dozen more candidates for the perma
nent diaconate took the next step in a long journey:
Benjamin Ernst, Robert Fritts, Mark Girardeau, John
Johnson, Knight, Keith Liner, Orlando Lopez-Camuy,
Terrence Mermann, Mario Rabusin, DeWayne Tillman,
Hoang Tran and Eric Windmoller.
With family, friends, priests and fellow deacons
from across the diocese in attendance, the Diaconate
class of 2020 went through the orders of the day
beginning with a greeting from Archbishop Gregory
J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., who was in town for the
ordination. Father Daniel Firmin greeted the former
diocesan bishop back. “It is always good to see you and
we welcome you back to Savannah,” said Firmin, who
is currently the diocesan administrator.
“Good morning, it’s so good to see human beings back
in church again,” joked Hartmayer, who added that
Awilibia and Antwi were now speaking “southern”
after their time living and studying in Savannah after
having moved here from their native Ghana.
Hartmayer’s homily made mention of the challenges
all 14 deacons face in their new roles as stewards to
the communities they are preparing to serve. “We are
faced with the same challenges, the prejudice, the pro
filing, and we have to make them feel welcome,” said
Hartmayer. “It is often the deacons that have to make
them aware.”
See DEACONS page 7