Church terminology

Deacon, or vocational deacon

A person ordained to a ministry of service, both in the church and in the world. A deacon assists at the Eucharist but doesn’t preside. Some people are ordained deacons for life (vocational deacons); others are ordained to the diaconate before later being ordained a priest. Liturgically, a deacon reads the Gospel, sets the table, leads the Prayers of the People and dismisses the congregation.