PORTLAND — Three seminarians will be ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Richard J. Malone at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 16, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St.

The diaconate, priesthood and episcopacy comprise the three holy orders in the Catholic Church. The designation of “transitional deacon” indicates that although the individual will always be a deacon by virtue of his ordination, the hope is that he will one day be ordained to the priesthood. All deacons, whether transitional or permanent, may celebrate the sacrament of baptism, witness marriages, preside at funeral rituals outside of Mass, proclaim the Gospel and preach homilies.

Kyle Doustou, 25, was born in Lewiston. After graduating from Saint Dominic Regional High School in 2005, Doustou received a full scholarship from and entered into the Basselin Scholars Program, a three-year honors philosophy program at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He earned bachelor’s and licentiate degrees in philosophy and then a bachelor’s degree in theology. Doustou felt called to the priesthood from a young age; even though he admits to “playing Mass at home” using Kool-Aid and Cheez-It crackers, he was a long-term altar server at his home parish. His summer pastoral assignment is serving Resurrection of the Lord Parish in Old Town.

Also being ordained are Edward Clifford, 50, who was born in Shawmut, attended Yarmouth High School and graduated from high school in Milford, Ohio in 1981; and Brad Morin, 29, who was born in Upper Frenchville, graduated from Madawaska High School in 2002 and earned a BA in philosophy at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish in 2006.

All are welcome to attend the ordination. For more information, contact 207-321-7810 or [email protected].