Deacon Dave’s Ministry
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“Holy Week”
By Deacon David Alcorta
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At the beginning of Mass, we hear the Gospel about the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. I would like to share with you my vision of His victorious ride. They draped a donkey with cloths and took it to Jesus. Jesus mounts the donkey and picks up the rains and begin his journey towards Jerusalem. A large crowd cheers as Jesus approaches and his disciples march proudly behind Him.
The people cover his path with palm branches. A roar of greeting erupts as Jesus passed by. The people raise their hands and voices as their royal greeting. Jesus holds the reins tightly and anxiety swells in his heart because he knows that this ride takes him closer to his death.
Hundreds of people line the road; Jesus tries to smile but only managed a weak smile. Jesus knows that His entrance into Jerusalem will become His tragedy and His tragedy will become His triumph. This journey of celebration and suffering we call His Passion.
Today we reflect on this victorious journey and recall our own Palm Sunday moments. Like care givers, who care for the frail or loved ones with terminal infirmities, caregivers also experience the everyday passion of this suffering. The suffering of our loved ones marks the moments of their victorious journey back to Jesus.
When we care for our loved ones in this manner, bring their medication, water, or a worm blanket. We are placing Palm Branches on their path, their victorious journey of suffering and celebration, back to Jesus.
One day someone will place palm branches on our path, our victorious journey of suffering and celebration. Our Palm Sunday moments of victory. Our journey back to our Heavenly Father!
Deacon Dave
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Holy Thursday falls on the Thursday before Easter. On this Holy Day we remember the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. On this Holy Day we celebrate the Institution of the Eucharist and the Institution of the Priesthood.
At the last Supper Jesus celebrates their traditional Passover meal. As Jesus and the disciples were eating. Jesus took bread and wine, blessed it and gave it to His disciples saying: Take it, eat and drink. This is my body which is for you, do this in remembrance of me.
Jesus institutes of the Eucharist and makes his Apostles priests when he said: Do this in remembrance of me. By saying “Do This” Jesus entrusts His Apostles and their successors the action of transforming Bread into His Body and Wine into His Blood.
At this Holy Meal Jesus fulfills His role as the Christian victim
(the Sacrificial Lamb). He is the Passover for all of us
to be saved by His final sacrifice. This event is celebrated at every Mass in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
At this Holy Meal Jesus washed the feet of his Disciples who would become the first priests. Washing their feet was an extreme display of humility and service. He tells them, I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
To follow this model is the Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. This is reenacted on Holy Thursday at Mass when the priest washing the feet of twelve parishioners. During the Mass, we Catholics believe that the unleavened bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
At Mass the Priest says the blessing, breaks the bread, and gives it to us at Communion. The Priest says, the Body of Christ and we say Amen, because we believe it’s true. After Mass on Holy Thursday, Eucharistic Adoration is held and parishioners remain in the presence of the Eucharist just as the Disciples kept a vigil with Christ.
This vigil lasts from the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper until Midnight. At every hour of every day, somewhere around the world, Mass is celebrated and Communion is taken. For over two thousand years, not a single day has gone by without a Mass and Communion.
Deacon Dave
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Good Friday is the day when the world stands still. We recall the great Sacrifice offered on the second Cross at Calvary. There Jesus in perfect obedience of love, did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
This is when Heaven and earth came together. On that Cross we were freed from the power of sin and death. On that Cross, the penalty for all our sins was assumed by our sinless Savior. And on that cross, we learn the Way of Crucified Love.
On Good Friday I join priests and in the beautiful liturgy of the Lord's Passion and the Veneration of the Holy Cross. At the entrance procession we walk up the aisle crying out. Behold the wood of the Cross on which hung the Savior of the World". And the faithful respond, "Come, Let us Worship".
The sanctuary is stripped of all altar cloths; the tabernacle is emptied. Upon reaching the altar in silence, we lay prostrate on the cold marble an act of surrender and love an expression of holy fear. I feel the cold floor through my vestments; I am drawn back to the moment in my ordination to the diaconate. I am compelled to once again to give my total self to the Crucified One who hung on the wood of the Cross, out of Love for us.
I listen to the reading of the Passion of our Lord where a soldier pierced His side with a spear, blood and water poured from his side. A spring of living water from His wound. From this wound of Blood and Water comes the birth of our Church. Yes! Blood and Water from His side. From these two sacraments the Church is born! From baptism, the cleansing water of rebirth and from His Precious Blood the Holy Eucharist.
The gospel teach that the water was a symbol of baptism. And the Blood is a symbol of the Holy Eucharist. The soldier pierced the side of our Lord and from that wound we found the treasure and made it my own. The Fathers of the last ecumenical council, Vatican II, explained. The Church grows visibly through the power of God. The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the Blood and Water at our baptism and Holy Eucharist.
Deacon Dave
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Easter Vigil; Service of the Light
The Easter Vigil has four parts: The Service of the Light, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Baptism, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The Service of the Light is beautiful service that sometimes does not get the attention it deserves. In the early sunset in the evening of Holy Saturday the Easter Vigil begins when a special fire that is lit outside the church. The Clergy gathers around the fire. The Paschal candle is marked with the symbols of the year and the divinity and glorious suffering of Christ. From this Holy Fire the Paschal Candle is lit and the Service of the Light begins. I carry the Paschal Candle high in procession inside the church. Father sings “Christ Our Light” we all respond, “Thanks be to God”.
The Congregation is given unlit candles. Then the Holy Flame from the Paschal candle is shared with the Congregation. The Congregation shares the light with each other. Think about the symbolism of sharing the Light. We are not just lighting the candle for the person next to us. This Light is the illumination of God that help to us distinguish True from False, Good from Bad. We share this Light at the Easter Vigil. We share this Light when we teach our children, at bible study, at school. We share this Light at Sunday gospel readings. God’s Light illuminates the truth in what we read and teach.
At Baptism God makes us children of the Light. We are to keep this Light burning brightly in our hearts. This Light must be shared and is symbolized at the Service of the Light at the Easter Vigil.
The entrance procession continues up the aisle, and the Church now stands and holds candles lit with the Holy Fire. The symbol of this Holy Light is connected to fire for its radiance and illumination. Light of Truth, Light of Life, Light the metaphor for Jesus Christ.
As the Priest reaches the front of the altar, He sings for the third and final time; “Christ Our Light” we joyfully respond, “Thanks be to God”!
When the Clergy turns around and faces the Congregation we see God’s Church on fire, Holy Fire. The Light of Truth. Light, the metaphor for the presence of God. The radiance and illumination of God’s presence in our hearts. No other moment of the Church is as rich in power & symbolism as the Easter Vigil. It is the Night of all Nights. It is the Heart of Christianity. It is Easter.
Deacon Dave
“Personal Testimonies”
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We are the hands of Jesus. Look at those around you. We should be kind and respectful to them because theirs are the hands that Jesus uses to answer our prayers. Ours is His Body. Ours are the eyes through which he sees compassion. Ours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Ours are the hands to bless world.
I carry a backpack with my administrative and ministerial aids along with my personal belongings. Such as Personal ID, credit cards, money, eyeglasses, cell phone, calendar and other important documents. One morning I was in a hurry because my first appointment was twelve miles away in heavy traffic. Before arriving, I decided to check the address to my destination. My backpack was not in its usual place and remembered that I had placed it on top of my car while looking for my key. I was a long way from home and thought the worst. I carry irreplaceable things in my backpack, and I will never get them back. I prayed for God’s Help. Four blocks from my house there was a man standing by the road looking at his cell phone. I slowed down and the man came to my car window and asked if I had lost a backpack. My backpack had all my belongings. I had a wonderful talk with this kind man. He said, I am very happy you found your backpack. I said no, I’m happy you found my backpack. I took both his hands in mine and with a sincere handshake I silently said, “thank you Jesus”. I knew that God had use his hands to answer my prayer.
Deacon Dave; July 2025
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Growing up I was taught that doing good for others was good. This message resonated with me and awakened my passion for service. I pursued a career in human service which initially led to social work for the State of Washington. I was inexperienced but excited to be in a profession that served the needy. It was late afternoon on Christmas Eve and the workers were in a hurry to get home to their families. My last client for the evening was a frail and elderly lady with a walker. She only wanted food while she waited for her food stamps. A block away from our office we had a food bank for emergencies like this. It was late and everyone was leaving so I called the food bank and asked them to please stay open until we arrived. I offered to walk with her and make sure the food bank was still open. There was very little food left, she selected a few canned items, bread, fruit and candy. She did not have a means to carry her groceries on her walker. It was dark and cold, so I offered to drive her home. She lived in an apartment building about eight blocks away. She was very grateful for the ride. In the spirit of Christmas, I offered to carry her groceries to her room. She lived alone in a small room with modest furniture and dim lighting. By the door she had a small table for her Christmas tree, a two-foot, end of a branch from a nearby spruce tree. Her Christmas tree was decorated with candy paper and chewing gum wrappers. She quickly put her new candy and fruit under the tree. She was so happy and with a big smile she clapped her hands like a little girl. I was so deeply moved by her joy and gratitude. I felt happiness, sadness, and excitement all at once and how I wished that I could do more.
This emotional and personal experience was my initial discovery of the rich and true reward that comes from the unity of compassion and good deeds “JOY”.
In the Eucharist Christ does not come from above, but from within it strengthens our interior life with kindness and compassion. It quickens our hands to serve and gives us the desire to do more.
The Holy Eucharist is the inspiration for my passion in human service.
Deacon Dave
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WE ARE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
“TURN THE LIGHT ON”
I was at a weekly office staff meeting feeling very discontent because of my limited hearing. I prayed, saying, “I cannot understand a word they are saying. I have so much experience and unable to share it. How can I carry out my ministry? My inter-voice said “turn the light on”. I replied, “that makes no sense”. I thought for a moment, turning the light on brings light to darkness. I am to be the “influence” that illuminates the way to Christ. How?
· Bring peace to conflict.
· Bring unity to division.
· Bring understanding to differences.
· Bring companionship to loneliness.
· Bring comfort to a broken heart.
· Bring Joy to sadness.
· Bring Love where there is none.
· Bring compassion to the needy.
Later I discerned that turning the light on was my consecration to the Holy Eucharist. Consecration is the act of making a declaration. The Eucharist prayer is the declaration of the human into divine. My declaration is my devotion to God and turning the light on is the evidence of my faith and devotion to God. Our consecration needs to be more that words. It must be acted out in good works, service to others, our evidence of love and devotion to God. There is no love without sacrifice. Saying I love you is not enough we must show our love by acts of love, turning the light on. When we consume the Eucharist, the fruit does not come from above. It come from within by acts that turn the Light on.
· Get closer to Jesus.
· Desire to know God.
· Desire to do God’s will.
· Grace to avoid sin.
· Grace to listen to the Holy Spirit.
· Desire to know and love God.
· Quickens us to serve others.
Deacon David
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I prayed my first prayer when I was six years old. My aunts and uncles came to visit and after dinner they told old folk lore scary stories. That evening I went to bed and my imagination soared with thoughts about the scary things I heard. I was afraid and imagined monsters at every dark corner of my room. I decided to pray, pulling the covers over my head I did the sign of the cross but didn’t know what else to say. So, I pledged allegiance to the flag as may prayer. I was terrified and believe that God heard my cry and calmed my fear as I fell asleep. Later I went to Catholic Catechism classes and learned the basic prayers of the Church. I went to Mass with my family and recited memorized prayer I learned at catechism classes. After high school and military duty, I married a Catholic girl, Dora from my hometown. Dora went to Catholic school and was great spiritual inspiration. One day Dora said that we should go to a Crusillio Retreat, a Catholic Apostolic Movement in the Church. This retreat opened a new faith and spiritual dimension. The Holy Spirit put new life into my prayer, scripture and Mass. I was excited that the Holy Spirit would now teach and guide my spiritual life. Later Dora said that we should go to the Monday night parish prayer group. I learned to pray with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and no longer depended on memorized prayer. I found spiritual power in this style of prayer and began to pray for others. It seemed that the more I prayed the stronger the power of the Holy Spirit. God answered prayer in a mighty way. I had an active lay-ministry and received invitations to pray and speak at church meetings, retreats, jail, prison, conventions, and even churches of different denominations. My Archbishop appointed me and four others to a special ministry of “Deep Healing”, a ministry of deliverance from unclean spirits. My pastor recommended the “Diaconate”. I retired from a vocation in human service to a vocation of spiritual service for the Church. A move from saving lives to saving souls seemed appropriate. I have been a Catholic Deacon for over twenty years and a witness that God truly answers prayer. God answered my first prayer when I was six years old, the pledge of allegiance to the flag and taught me that God not only listens to words but to our heart. I now kneel and pray on marble at the altar of our Lord and smile as I recall when God answered my first prayer.
Deacon David
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I was twelve years old when I got my first Job as a paperboy delivering the newspaper in my neighborhood. My paper route was more than delivering newspaper it was my call to serve. I rode a bicycle and carried a large newspaper bag over my shoulders useful for running errands. I ran errands for customers unable to leave their home because of their small children etc. Some gave me things to deliver to other families, others gave me money to buy them things from the local grocery store.
One of my customers was an elderly African American invalid woman. I got off my bike to deliver the paper in her hand. She waited anxiously because every day she gave me a nickel to buy her a treat for the following day and every day I surprised her with either a bag of chips or candy bar, Babe Ruth was her favorite candy bar. Seeing her joy inspired me to do more. Every time I visit my hometown I drive by the house where that sweet lady use to live. She was my customer and inspiration to serve. This lady and paper route awakened a passion in me that lead to a career in human service. I have been abundantly blessed and privileged with opportunities to serve in Community Organizations, Local, State, and Federal Government departments all centered on human services.
My passion for social justice and human rights for the underprivileged lead to an appointment to the Washington State Human Right Commission.
My passion for self-sufficiency for the needy lead to an appointment to the Washington State Commission for Vocational Education.
My passion for wellbeing of the most vulnerable lead to a position as State Administrator for Public Assistance programs.
My passion for safety and hope for those affected by national disasters lead to a volunteer position as Red Cross First Responder and National Manager for Client Services.
I Thank God for the opportunities and privilege to follow my call to serve. The job titles given to me were trivial compared to the privilege to serve so many. My call led to provide food and shelter for the poor; as an ordained Catholic Deacon my passion remains the same, I now provide “spiritual” food and shelter for the “poor-in-spirit” and still a “Paperboy” now delivering the “Good News” every Sunday.
Deacon David
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John the Baptist preached repentance and to prepare our heart for the coming of the Lord by turning away from sin. I understood this message but without real conviction in my heart.
I went to the church in the afternoon, it was empty and decided to pray before the Holy Sacrament. I knelt behind the altar, in front of the tabernacle and prayed for about ten minutes. I finished my visit with the Lord and while still kneeling I looked underneath the altar and saw a fragment of the Consecrated Host about ¼ inch in size. The fragment was stained with red wine. This was the fragment the priest brake and mixed into the chalice with the precious blood of Jesus. Knowing how careful priest are when handling the Consecrated Host, I was shocked to see the fragment on the floor and said, “Jesus what are you doing down there?” I picked up the fragment, placed it in my hand and quickly consumed it and made the sign of the cross. I remained kneeling wondering how long Jesus had been under the altar and underfoot for the priests, deacons and altar servers. I said, “Well it’s only a fragment”. Immediately the inter voice within me said, “I come to you whole never in fragments”. I asked again, what were you doing down there? The voice said, “Waiting for you”. I went home wondering why Jesus waited for me at such an unlikely place. Years have gone by and every Sunday I kneel behind the altar and look down at the place where Jesus waited for me. One day after receiving Holy Communion I discerned that Jesus waits for my repentance at unlikely places in my life. It is through repentance that I come face to face with my sinful-self, Jesus is always there waiting with His saving light. To think that Jesus waits for me at these sinful places of my life has etched a deep conviction of remorse for my sins “Repentances”.
Deacon David
Deacon’s Diary
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MARCH 1
LOOK
Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up.
Hebrews 12:2