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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