Deacons hold annual sunrise service for peace

Deacon Herbert Johnson of St. Katharine Drexel Parish and Deacon William Pouncy of St. Simon of Cyrene Parish prepare for Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Deacon William Burns of St. Ferdinand Parish takes in the sunrise prior to the start of Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Deacon Vincente Haro of St. Bede the Venerable and St. Denis Parish kisses his stole as he prepares for Mass with the help of his wife Leticia. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Father Thadeo Mgimba, associate pastor of St. Simon of Cyrene Parish, shares a moment with Deacon Aflred Coleman II of St. James Parish (Wabash Avenue) before the start of Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Deacon Herbert Johnson of St. Katharine Drexel Parish carries the cross. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Attendees give praise during Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Deborah Powell, a member of the Our Lady of Africa Parish choir, sings during the Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Velma Barker-Hill gives praise during the service. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Father Larry Dowling, pastor of St. Simon of Cyrene Parish, gives the homily. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Mahari Davis Jr., a member of the St. Ethelreda School’s African Drummers and Dance Team, listens to the homily. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Deacon William Pouncy of St. Simon of Cyrene parish (second from left) listens to the homily. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

As a demonstration of respect and humility, Dowling kneels and holds the hand of an attendee as part of his homily. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

St. Ethelreda School’s African Drummers and Dance Team perform during Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Dowling is assisted by, from left, Deacon Herbert Johnson of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Deacon William Pouncy of St. Simon of Cyrene Parish and Deacon Leroy Gill of St. Katharine Drexel Parish. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Dowling blesses a woman during Communion. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

A participant worships during Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Deacon Leroy Gill offers closing remarks. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Deacon Herbert Johnson of St. Katharine Drexel Parish carries the cross followed by Deacon Kurt J. Davis of St. Benedict the African Parish. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Vicar for Deacons Jim Norman, left, shares a moment with Deacon Richard Hudzik, director of ongoing formation for the Office of the Diaconate and former vicar for deacons following the annual Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)