Bishop Barres Ordains Six Men to Diaconate
Six men were ordained as transitional deacons at St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie, New York, on November 7.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Catholicism
Bishop John Barres of Rockville Centre presided over the ordination of six men to the transitional diaconate at St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie, New York, on November 7. The newly ordained deacons will serve parishes in Brooklyn, Queens, and Rockville Centre before priestly ordination.
Why it matters
The ordinations add six clergy to parish ministry across New York's dioceses and the Oratory of St. Philip Neri. Transitional deacons assist with liturgy, preaching and parish life while preparing for priesthood.
Six men were ordained on November 7, with four assigned to parishes in Queens and Brooklyn, one to Rockville Centre, and one to the Oratory of St. Philip Neri. The source does not report how many candidates remain in formation.
The players
John Barres
Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, who presided over the ordination.
St. Joseph's Seminary
The Archdiocese of New York's seminary in Dunwoodie, where the ordination was held.
The details
Each man publicly declared his commitment before lying prostrate while the congregation prayed the Litany of the Saints. Bishop Barres then laid his hands on each man's head in the central act of ordination.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Six men ordained to the transitional diaconate at St. Joseph's Seminary.
June 2027: Scheduled priestly ordination for the six men.
Season Trajectory
The transitional diaconate is the final step before priestly ordination in the Latin Church's formation process. These six men are scheduled to advance to priesthood in June 2027.
Parishioners in Rego Park, Bushwick, Bayside, and Woodside will receive new deacons serving their parishes in the coming months. The deacons will assist with Mass, sacraments and parish outreach.
The takeaway
Ordination is a multi-year process, and these six men are at a midpoint, with priesthood still ahead. Readers interested in vocations can follow parish announcements for how deacons serve their communities.
What happens next
Priestly ordination for the six men is scheduled for June 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Catholicism and the Church's ordination practices.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tablet.
