You can contact Dcn. Phil to say "hi," or to pass along a comment, question, puzzlement, or observation at phil@DeaconPhilip.org.

Or you can follow him on Twitter @DcnPhil

A native of Washington, D.C., Phil moved to Tennessee in 2004 after a career in the telecommunications industry.  He was ordained a permanent deacon of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville in 2013.

Phil holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Philosophy from Washington & Lee University, and a Master of Theological Studies degree from the Seminary and School of Theology of the Archabbey of St. Meinrad.  He has also received certification in pastoral care supervision from St. Meinrad.

Phil currently serves at Good Shepherd Parish in Decherd, Tennessee.  He also works at the Chancery of the Diocese of Nashville.

He and his wife Caroline live atop the Cumberland Plateau with their dachshunds Penelope and Nicky who graciously share their house with them. 

A deacon is one of the three orders, or "ranks," of ordained clergy in the Roman Catholic Church, along with bishops and priests.  Some deacons are referred to as "transitional deacons".  They'll eventually be ordained to the priesthood, usually after serving as a deacon for about a year.  Others, like Phil, are "permanent deacons".  They'll remain in the diaconate and, unlike transitional deacons, priests or bishops, may be married -- provided they're married before they're ordained.

The diaconate (the order of deacons) is an ancient office of the Church.  In the Book of Acts the Evangelist Luke records that the Apostles, apprised that the needs of Greek-speaking members of the early Church weren't being properly addressed, "laid their hands on" (ordained) seven men, the first deacons, to minister to them.  (The word "deacon" comes from the Greek word for "servant".)  St. Paul also mentions deacons in his letters, and in his first letter to Timothy, lists a number of requirements for prospective deacons.    

Today, while practices vary in different dioceses, a deacon's formal title is "Rev. Mr. So-and-So" (to distinguish him from a priest, whose formal title is "Rev. Fr. So-and-So".  (Sometimes the title "Rev. Dcn." is also used.)  More commonly, though, a deacon is referred to simply as ... well ... "Deacon So-and-So".  If you run across Phil, however, you can just call him "Phil".  He isn't choosy; he answers to most anything.  

A deacon is said to have three ministries:  a ministry of the altar, a ministry of the Word, and a ministry of charity.

During Mass, deacons assist bishops and priests at the altar in a variety of ways.  Deacons, however, do not themselves "celebrate" the Mass (that is, they don't consecrate the gifts of bread and wine that they may become the Body and Blood of Christ).  Deacons may, however, preside at other liturgies, e.g., at baptisms, weddings and funerals.  Unlike bishops and priests, though, deacons do not hear confessions or anoint the sick.

Deacons customarily "proclaim" the Gospel at Mass, and may also give the homily.  As an extension of his "Ministry of the Word," deacons are often involved in teaching the faith in parishes, schools, and other venues.

A deacon's ministry of charity is among his most important responsibilities.  In the earliest centuries of the Christian era, deacons took care to ensure that those in need were assisted by the Church, and still today deacons have a particular concern to ensure that the "preferential option for the poor" of the Catholic Church extends to the least, the last and the lost.  Similarly, deacons assist bishops and priests in caring for the pastoral needs of their communities.