Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge ordained Don Edward Maloney to the Transitional Diaconate in a Rite of Ordination of a Deacon celebrated at Saint Luke the Evangelist Church in Raleigh, Deacon Maloney’s home parish, on May 21, 2011. In August, Deacon Maloney will enter his Fourth year of Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and is scheduled for ordination to the Priesthood in 2012.

Deacon Maloney is the son of Phillip and Sherry Maloney and brother of Michael and Leah Maloney. Born in Indiana, his family moved to Raleigh in 1996, when he was 10. Upon high school graduation, Deacon Maloney attended Seton Hall University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, Classical Studies and Catholic Studies in 2008. He entered the Diocesan seminarian program in the fall of 2008.

In a brief biography for the NC Catholics, Deacon Maloney cited the sacrament of Confirmation as marking the turning point in his life. “The graces of the sacrament impelled me to see the Lord both in study and prayer,” he said.

“We who know our deacon candidate recognize that he is sincerely humble and calls no attention to himself, Bishop Burbidge said in his homily. “He stands here convinced that what we do here today has little to do with him and everything to do with the Lord our God! At the Ordination today,” Bishop Burbidge continued, “Don reflects his continued willingness to deepen his relationship with the Lord and to entrust his life and ministry to Him.”

Noting the Instruction of the Church on the Order of Deacon is to assist the Bishop and his priests in the ministry of the Word, of the altar and of charity, Bishop Burbidge said, “Don understands that for him to be faithful to all that he promises today, he must find his strength in the One who has called him to serve.” The Bishop concluded by quoting Blessed John Paul II; “It is the Lord who through his grace at work in you will accomplish infinitely more that you can imagine!”

Deacon Maloney’s summer pastoral assignment is at St. Stephen Church in Sanford.