Bishop Libasci in Laconia to celebrate naming of Rev. Drouin as N.H. regional Dean of the Deacons

LACONIA — Rev. Marc Drouin was installed by Bishop Peter A. Libasci as Dean of the Deacons in a mass and ceremony held Monday night at the St. Andre Bessette Catholic Church on Union Avenue.

A Dean of the Deacons is an administrative title given to a priest who is the administrative head of one of the nine regions in the New Hampshire Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church of New Hampshire.

Drouin's new administrative duty, said diocese media relations director Tom Bebbington, is being the bishop's delegate to Lakes Region catholics as he is responsible for coordinating communications from the bishop to the six parishes and seven priests in the area.

"(Drouin) is there to coordinate the pastoral activities and assist the bishop in advancing his plans for the area," said Bebbington.

Drouin's term will last three years. He is a Laconia native and graduate of Laconia High School.

Bebbington said Bishop Libasci was the principal celebrant at the installation at Monday's mass and was assisted by Drouin. Following mass, he said there was a ceremonial signing of the document naming him the dean.

There are six parishes in the Lakes Region Deanery that will follow Drouin's — St. Katherine Drexel in Alton, St. Joseph in Belmont, St. Gabriel in Franklin, St. Andre Bessette in Laconia, St. Charles Borromeo in Meredith and Holy Trinity in Plymouth. There is also a mission church in Bristol called Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

There a seven priests and four deacons in the deanery.

CUTLINE: Rev. Marc Drouin (left) with Bishop Peter A. Libaschi in the sacristy at St. Andre Bessette Parish prior to Drouin's installation ceremony as Dean of the Deanery for the Lakes Region. (Photo courtesy of St. Andre Bessette)