5The collaboration of priests and deacons in the ministry of the gospel has not always been without some tension. The fiftieth anniversary of the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church welcomes a cooperative, creative, and prayer-imbued communion between priests and deacons who labor as one to serve the spiritual needs of parishioners. Remain in Me promotes such a communion, addressing the interior lives of priests and deacons simultaneously. The sacrament of Holy Orders is itself the very gift that binds priests and deacons together as "natural" allies in the work of the gospel. The book serves as a springboard for mutual spiritual conversation and pastoral planning. In such conversations, the "natural" union between priests and deacons becomes clearer and carries the potential to ignite a brotherhood of creative pastoral thinking, better serving the mission of the parish. The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God "like sheep without a shepherd." Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.