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Duo take important step toward the diaconate in Norwich

Two Diocese of East Anglia candidates took an important step toward becoming permanent deacons earlier this week (September 3) when the Ministry of Reader (Lector) was conferred on them by Bishop Alan Hopes during a Mass at St John’s Cathedral in Norwich.


Jacob Cheriyan and Joseph Prameel are both originally from Kerala in India and are now living in Peterborough.

Jacob has served at St Peter’s in Gorleston for the past 14 years, the last seven as a catechist, and with his family has recently moved to Sacred Heart and St Oswald in Peterborough. He is married to wife Rosily Ouseph, who is a nurse at Peterborough City Hospital, and they have three children, two of whom are also nurses.

Joseph has been a Catholic lay chaplain at HMP Littlehey near Peterborough for the past four years. He is married to Bigi George who is a nurse at Peterborough City Hospital and they have three young sons who are all at school or nursery. They are parishioners at St Luke’s in Peterborough.

During the conferral Mass, Bishop Alan listed the responsibilities that Blessed Pope Paul said are to be taken on with the ministry: “you will proclaim the readings from the sacred scripture, except the Gospel, lead the general intercessions, instruct the people in their faith, direct the singing, help people to participate fully in the liturgy and prepare those who will read the scriptures in the liturgy.

“Finally, you are to meditate assiduously on sacred scripture and make every effort and employ suitable means to acquire that increasingly warm and living love and knowledge of scripture that will make you a more perfect disciple of the Lord.”

Jacob and Joseph are now at the end of the first year of a three-year process in becoming permanent deacons in the church.

Pictured above are  Joseph Prameel and Jacob Cheriyan with Bishop Alan after the conferral Mass.

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