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To: Pastors
From: Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta
Dear brothers,
2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Permanent Diaconate in the United States. To commemorate this special milestone, the USCCB has collaborated with the National Association of Diaconate Directors to host a Congress in New Orleans the week of July 22-28, 2018. A brochure describing this event is attached.
As a way to support our deacons in order for them to attend this event, I am authorizing you to allocate the money you would typically provide for the cost of their annual retreat to now go towards the registration for this Congress. The planners have created time during the Congress for reflection and talks on spiritual development thus accomplishing the goal of the deacon’s canonical retreat.
Please join me in celebrating this important event in the life of the Church here in the U.S. and the additional recognition of the important contribution that our Permanent Deacons have become to this local Church.