Photos and Story by Peter K. Ilchuk

“Working in the archdiocese as a deacon before ordination helps the future priest to better know the people and the clergy with whom he will be working,” said the Rev. Mr. Matthew Robbins who will be ordained next May for the archdiocese.

Born in New York, Mr. Robbins has lived in Pennsylvania most of his life. Assigned for the Atlanta archdiocese in 1962, he is presently studying at the Pontifical College Josephinium in Worthington, Ohio, where he will return this fall to complete his fourth year of theology.

Although not able to say Mass or hear confessions the deacon has a definite function in the Church. Of primary importance is the visiting of parishioners and the distribution of communion to the sick and aged of the parish. Because of Sacred Heart’s close proximity to St. Joseph’s Infirmary, Matthew Robbins frequently stops by to offer comfort and conversation to the infirm.

Looking forward to the fullness of the priesthood next year, the young deacon commented on one important aspect of the priestly vocation that he feels needs more emphasis.

“Some priests seem to wait in the rectory for the parishioners to come to them, but there is a definite need to go out into the parish and meet the people. To bring Christ into the home would seem to me one of the more important duties of the priest. Yet problems seldom, if ever, reach the rectory office.” Mr. Robbins has set out this summer to become well-versed in the social-economic problems of the South. Through his work in Atlanta this year and in Rome, Georgia, last year he is rapidly becoming cognizant of a situation that will be an integral part of his work in the Archdiocese.

Matthew Robbins looks forward with great interest to his work in this particular area. “The Church in the South and the South itself will have to grow through us, the younger generation,” he said. He added that he already had worked in a Chicago project assisting needy Negro families and hoped to become more aware of such problems when he begins to serve in the archdiocese.

He is also confident that the new Liturgy will help the people in growing with the Church. People are not as yet fully educated nor aware of the great opportunity available to them through the reform of the Liturgy. The People of God can now grow closer to Him through and understanding of the Mass and Sacraments. This will enable the laity to strengthen their faith and to better Christians in a growing Church and a growing South, he said.

Matthew Robbins, the deacon who in nine months will be ordained, philosophizes that “it takes a while to understand what you really are and what your purpose in life is.” His seminary training has equipped him well to be of service to his archbishop, fellow priests and the laity of Atlanta.

This is the third year that deacons have spent their summer vacations assisting in parishes of the archdiocese. Through the deaconate, they are permitted to preach, baptize, distribute the Holy Communion and generally assist a pastor. The program was inaugurated by Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan in the Summer of 1963.