What is a deacon?" "What does a deacon do?" These are two questions pastors, parishioners, and even deacons themselves often ask.

In A New Friendship Monsignor Edward Buelt answers these questions through an engaging conversation with the Scriptures, the eucharistic liturgy, and church teaching on the diaconate. Originally given as a retreat for deacon candidates, A New Friendship is now available to a larger audience of bishops, priests, deacons, deacons' wives, and candidates in formation.

Buelt's treatment of al the major themes of the diaconate? Ministry of word, altar, and charity, as well as communion, sacrifice, service, and suffering? Is inspiring and enriching. He highlights the meaning of the diaconate through insightful and moving reflections on the Scriptures and proposes practical lessons for a deacon's ministry at Mass. Buelt offers sound counsel for the spiritual life of deacons in the voice of an attentive pastor of souls and as one who cares about the diaconate.

A New Friendship is must reading for anyone interested in the diaconate and in diaconal ministry.

Monsignor Edward Buelt was ordained to the priesthood in 1982. A noted liturgist and canon lawyer, he has exercised a variety of ministries in the Archdiocese of Denver and as an official of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. In 1998 he was appointed the founding pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in suburban Denver, where he continues to serve.