What Is the Difference Between a Priest and a Deacon?

Film Focus: In this episode of Coffee with the Collars, Fr. Doug Jeffers, Fr. James Misko, and Deacon Henry Finch comment that many people do not know the difference between a priest and a deacon when they see them at Mass. They discuss the differing roles of a priest and deacon and comment upon the different vestments which are worn at Mass.

Text Focus: Pages 245-247, 254-255

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be ordained for the ministry of service?
2. What does it mean to be ordained to offer sacrifice?
3. What are the priest’s vestments called? What are the deacon’s vestments called? How are they different?

Why is a deacon given a Book of the Gospels at the time of his ordination? Why is this significant?