I not sure about catholics as I am a baptist. I think this will explain it.
Acts 6 King James Version (KJV)
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
at the church where I'm a member at I will do as those seven men did. that is a deacon.
I am now what is called a deacon in training(yoke fellow). I have a lot of the rights of a deacon but not all. I will not have all of the rights that a deacon has until I am ordained. or I'm what you might call a servant to the people at the church I goto.
pray that I have explained it.