The seven permanent diaconate candidates, along with Bishop William F. Medley and Fr. Ken Mikulcik, director of formation for the permanent diaconate program, are seen on Jan. 10 during the candidates’ institution into Ministry of Lector at Brescia University. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Diaconate candidate cohort instituted into Ministry of Lector
BY DCN. TIM NUGENT, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
On Jan. 10, the seven permanent diaconate candidates from the 2022 cohort of the Diocese of Owensboro took a significant step in their journey toward Holy Orders as they were instituted into the Ministry of Lector by Bishop William F. Medley in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at Brescia University.
During his homily, Bishop Medley reminded the candidates of the profound words of John the Baptist, “I must decrease, he [Christ] must increase.” (John 3:30) During the rite, the candidates received bibles as Bishop Medley exhorted, “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”
As lectors, the men acquired several liturgical rights and responsibilities including: in the absence of a deacon, lectors may carry the Book of Gospels in the procession; lectors read from the ambo the readings proceeding the Gospel; in the absence of a psalmist, lectors may proclaim the Responsorial Psalm; in the absence of a deacon, lectors may, after the introduction of a priest, announce the intentions of the Universal Prayer from the ambo; and lectors may read the Entrance and Communion Antiphons during Mass when directed at the appropriate time.
These newly-instituted lectors now continue spiritual and academic formation as they prepare for Institution into the Ministry of Acolyte as they continue discernment for the sacrament of Holy Orders.
The 2022 diaconate candidate cohort are:
- Greg Bell, husband of Kim Bell, from St. Anthony Parish, Browns Valley.
- James Jarboe, husband of Amanda Jarboe, from St. Mary of the Woods Parish, Whitesville.
- Ken Keller, husband of Linda Keller, from Blessed Mother Parish, Owensboro.
- Robert Lyons, husband of Mary Beth Lyons, from Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Henderson.
- Kevin Mudd, husband of Roni Mudd, from St. Joseph Parish, Leitchfield.
- Craig Willett, husband of Kathy Willet, from St. Thomas More Parish, Paducah.
- Ken Woodward, husband of Mary Grace Woodward, from Immaculate Conception Parish, Hawesville.
Please keep these men, their wives, and their families in prayer as they discern this vocation of service to the Church. Please also keep in prayer Rick and Peggy Turner. Rick Turner, a deacon candidate with the 2022 cohort, died in November.
Currently, the diocese is experiencing a robust number of men discerning the permanent diaconate with 4 Burmese candidates, 10 Latino aspirants, 7 English-speaking candidates, and 7 English-speaking inquirers. Meanwhile, 41 permanent deacons associated with the diocese are currently actively serving the Church in ministry.
Dcn. Tim Nugent is the Diocese of Owensboro’s director of the permanent diaconate. Contact him at [email protected].
Originally printed in the February 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
