• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Fourteen men were ordained to the permanent diaconate by Archbishop William E. Lori Sept. 30, 2023, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Radio Interview: Inside the diaconate

December 22, 2025
By Catholic Review Staff
Filed Under: CR Radio, deacons, Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview, Vocations

Father Michael Foppiano

The Archdiocese of Baltimore was among the first in the nation to ordain permanent deacons. Yet more than 50 years later, many Catholics still wonder how deacons serve the Church and what distinguishes their ministry.

On this episode of Catholic Review Radio, George Matysek explores the diaconate from its apostolic origins to its modern-day expression. The program begins with Father Michael Foppiano, pastor of St. Mark in Fallston and director of the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, who addresses common misunderstandings about permanent and transitional deacons, explains their liturgical role at Mass and outlines the formation process for men discerning this vocation.

Later in the program, listeners hear from Deacon Tim Maloney, a teacher at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, who reflects on more than 16 years of ordained ministry, and Darron Woodus, pastoral associate and director of parish operations at Holy Family in Randallstown, who is currently in formation for the diaconate. Together, they share personal stories of discernment, theological studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park and the realities of balancing ministry, marriage, family life and parish service.

Click play below to listen to the full interview:

Read More Radio Interviews

Radio Interview: Carrying grace into the new year

Radio Interview: Wrapping up 2025 with Archbishop Lori

Fr. Sands headshot

Radio Interview: Black and Native American heritage and mission

Radio Interview: Discovering Our Lady’s Center

Radio Interview: Advent and St. Nicholas

Radio Interview: A Catholic heart in legal defense

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Catholic Review Staff

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including associate pastor and special ministry

  • Question Corner: Why is New Year’s Day a holy day of obligation?

  • The bucket list 

  • Israel bans dozens of aid groups from Gaza, including Caritas, drawing condemnation

  • The sun rises over the ocean Today could have been the day

| Latest Local News |

Radio Interview: Carrying grace into the new year

Westernport experiences a flood of relief 

Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including associate pastor and special ministry

Most popular stories and commentaries of 2025 on CatholicReview.org

Walking for peace in Baltimore, naming the dead

| Latest World News |

Vatican sees record number of visitors during Jubilee year, officials say

Sisters who manage school of kidnapped Nigerian children: ‘Your compassion became a lifeline’

Venezuela strikes, takeover plans violate international law, says Notre Dame scholar

Pope Leo, bishops react to U.S. capture of Maduro with concern for Venezuela

Czech archdiocese welcomes pioneering ‘3D church’

| Catholic Review Radio |

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Vatican sees record number of visitors during Jubilee year, officials say
  • Sisters who manage school of kidnapped Nigerian children: ‘Your compassion became a lifeline’
  • The God of second chances
  • Radio Interview: Carrying grace into the new year
  • Venezuela strikes, takeover plans violate international law, says Notre Dame scholar
  • Pope Leo, bishops react to U.S. capture of Maduro with concern for Venezuela
  • Westernport experiences a flood of relief 
  • Today could have been the day
  • Czech archdiocese welcomes pioneering ‘3D church’

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED