Albert de Zutter/Key photo Bishop Boland hands the paten to Dwayne Katzer as eight men advanced to the final step before becoming permanent deacons.

As ministers of the Eucharist, Bishop Boland said, "the goal is to become what we handle. We must become infused with Christ so that we can pass him on to others."

"It is through the Eucharist that we receive the guarantee of salvation," he said. "We become like Christ to be with Christ."

Commenting on the Gospel, which told of a sea journey involving darkness, wind and waves, symbolizing the power of evil, Bishop Boland said that Christ reassured his disciples as he came to them across the water saying, "It is I. Do not be afraid."

People have tried to destroy the church from the beginning, Bishop Boland said. "But the faith has survived and triumphed because God is in it. Despite our humanity, our limitations and our faults, Christ said he will be with us until the dawn comes and the seas and wind are silent."

He quoted from a sign in Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta that said, among other things, "Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you've got anyway."

During the installation ceremony which followed, the bishop handed each candidate a chalice of wine and a paten with bread which were to be consecrated later in the Mass.

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