I am moved to outline the duties of the Deacon in Anglican churches, which it is my understanding are taken totius porcus from Catholic usage -- with the expectation that Michelina, geocajun, or another knowledgeable Catholic will "correct" my post by stating any changes which are true in Catholicism.
1. The Deacon works directly for the Bishop, in the ministry to which he is assigned by him. This often is but may not be parish ministry. That fact is a condition toward any of the following statements, all of which should have "as assigned by the Bishop" understood.
At the Eucharist, the Deacon
2. Reads the Gospel. This is a time-honored prerogative to which priests and bishops are supposed to humbly yield -- if the Pope is celebrating Mass and assisted by a newly-ordained Deacon, he will by this custom have the Deacon read the Gospel.
3. Dismisses the faithful at the end of service.
4. Assists in the preparation of the Altar (this would include confecting the chalice, as mentioned in the OP), and in the distribution of communion, at which he is an "ordinary minister" and should never be replaced by laity in that capacity.
5. Performs any other functions not requiring priestly faculties at the request of the Celebrant.
In the absence of a priest, the Deacon:
6. Celebrates what's often miscalled a "Deacon's Mass" -- which consists of the normal Liturgy of the Word, appropriate prayers always including the Lord's Prayer, and the distribution of Communion from the Reserved Sacrament.
7. Preaches a sermon if licensed by the Bishop to do so, otherwise reads a homily appointed for the day and prepared by other hands.
8. At the Easter Vigil, he chants the Exsultet, the great ancient canticle celebrating "the night when Christ crossed over from death unto life." Like the reading of the Gospel, this is his prerogative.
9. In the absence of an available priest, he baptizes.
10. In the absence of an available priest, he may hear confessions but may not absolve, rather declaring God's forgiveness in language that carefully distinguishes it from a priestly absolution.
11. In the absence of a priest assigned to the parish to which he is assigned, he performs all non-sacramental pastoral duties, including parish administration to the extent that his authorization from the Diocese permits.
12. In the absence of a priest or by request of the couple, he may officiate at a marriage, but may not perform the marriage blessing (if a Deacon is officiating for family/friendship reasons with a priest present, the priest will step in for this one element of the service).
A deacon may not:
1. Ordain or confirm.
2. Celebrate the Eucharist (except in the sense that we all "celebrate the Eucharist" along with the Priest who officiates at it).
3. Administer a priestly blessing (though he may pray a blessing on someone in the same manner as a layperson may).
4. Absolve of sins.
5. Anoint the sick sacramentally.
6. Serve as Pastor or other role of authority -- it is incommensurate with his role as diakonos or helper -- except that he may function pastorally in the interim between the appointment of pastors. (In our case, between the resignation or death of a Priest and the calling of his successor.)
