On June 24, 21 men answered the call to serve the people of God as permanent deacons for the Church. Get to know the archdiocese’s newest deacons and which parishes they’ll be assigned to, and read further coverage of the ordination here.
Deacon Michael Baird
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Denver
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
I have learned much in many areas, but what was most valuable for me is learning how to develop my prayer life. Going deeper into understanding sin, discerning God’s will, listening quietly to Him, loving my wife even more, and increasing my relationship with Jesus, the Servant, through the examples of the saints. Learning to be humble is very humbling, especially when I thought I already was.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
Hard to pick just one thing. I look forward to serving others in my parish, to assist the pastor in any way that is needed, and to continue to work with those incarcerated as a deacon. I really look forward to celebrating baptisms. I also look forward to revisiting some of the books studied during formation, but at a more leisurely pace.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?When receiving Christ, I am always reminded who he is (everything) and who I am (nothing). Yet, his love for us is overwhelming. I pray that I can share that same love with others by serving, especially providing communion services to those who cannot attend Mass.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
It was a whisper that I initially ignored. Then God decided to get a little louder when I was in adoration. I started the program reluctantly at first, but wanted to be obedient to what God was calling me to do. After the second year of formation, following his will for me, I fully embraced and committed. I pray my will becomes his will.
Deacon Sam Bittner
Risen Christ Parish in Denver
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
Has to be the absolute beauty of the Catechism. Having grown up in the late 70’s/early 80’s with the Baltimore Catechism, I always thought of it as a reference book used by teachers in Catechism Classes mostly for Confirmation preparation. Then Dr. Innerst started walking us through it, and besides being beautifully laid out in an easy-to-read format, much of the text in it is actually beautiful to read. I think so many people believe as I used to that the Catechism was a big boring book that we could look to when somebody posed a challenging question to us. It is so much more than that.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
Being able to help with Sacraments and getting as close to heaven on earth as possible by serving the Mass!
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?One of the most tangible ways we can experience God’s love for us is through the Eucharist. I never really truly appreciated that until I had the opportunity to really focus on it during four years of formation. Also, it was an invitation by our pastor, Father Scott Bailey, to all of those at Risen Christ Parish that were involved with either adoration or being Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion to come to a Saturday Presentation about the History of the Eucharist and what it really means to Catholics that started my journey in diaconate formation.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
How about a very bold whisper. My call came at a very specific moment during a day of prayer that I was invited to by our pastor. He and Connie from the Augustine Institute gave a talk about the Eucharist and followed the talk up by teaching us how to do Lectio Divina and then we had a Holy Hour with Adoration to practice Lectio. It was during that prayer time that I asked God how I could serve his Church more and he very clearly let me know that he was asking me to be a Deacon! If you are going to ask God a direct question be prepared for a direct answer!
Deacon Steve Boselli
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Boulder
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
Knowledge and trust in God's love for me. When we know and believe this, we can experience God's goodness and reflect his image to others. Growing up in a family of 12 kids, I experienced deep human love within the family but didn't always understand it from and with God. Through my time in formation, I truly came to believe and live this message, and I felt called to teach and share it with others.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
As deacons, we are ordained ministers serving the Church in various sacramental rites, such as baptisms, marriages, funerals, and pastoral and charitable works. I was blessed to work in hospice care with AIDS patients starting in the 90s with the Missionaries of Charity sisters, and that has set my heart on fire. I'm most looking forward to sharing the love of Christ with others through the ministry I'm assigned to.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
I was blessed to witness St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta's interaction with the Eucharist while spending time with her in India in the 90s. After removing Christ from the monstrance, I could see how she handled the luna (the sacred vessel that contains Christ in the monstrance at adoration); her solid belief and love for Christ were evident in her utmost care. That has always given me a beautiful understanding of Christ's true presence and my adoration of him in the Eucharist. I hope to share this with others; it's awesome.
Would you characterize God's call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
I would consider it a whisper. My father was a deacon for the Archdiocese of Denver. As a young adult, I spent time with religious sisters and priests in my volunteer ministries, so I felt comfortable and considered serving the Church in some capacity. My wife and I had discussed the possibility when we were first married but decided to wait until our children were a little older. During adoration at a FOCUS SEEK conference, I felt God's call to discuss it with my wife and then call the diaconate office to inquire. Men, it's the second most positive life-changing decision I've made.
Deacon Clarence Braud III
St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Aurora
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
How to deepen my prayer life.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?Serving at the altar.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
I started as an altar boy right after my first communion. Sister Carlos and Father Hymel taught me very well about the Real Presence of Jesus. I am still in awe at the elevation of the body and blood.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
I was in the seminary for high school, college and one year of theology. God let me know he had something else for me. Over the last 10 years of my 35 years of marriage, God has whispering to me to do more for his Church.
Deacon Josh Dalcher
St. Mark’s Parish in Westminster
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
We encountered many different disciplines of prayer, but one of the most valuable to me was St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Discernment of Spirits. We received excellent instruction and spiritual direction from Father Dennis Brown, learning much from recorded presentations by Father Timothy Gallagher, both Oblates of the Virgin Mary.
I had only encountered St. Ignatius’s rules in passing prior to Formation, and I found the Spiritual Exercises greatly enriching and very useful in integrating my daily life and my prayer life. It was really eye opening to understand the movements of both God and the Enemy, and living the rules is so helpful to weather those ups and downs.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
I am greatly looking forward to serving the people of my home parish, St. Mark in Westminster. I received so many graces from God as I grew in my faith there, and I look forward to praying for and accompanying them in the years ahead. Specifically, I am greatly looking forward to helping with baptisms and sacrament preparation, as well as helping the many charitable programs done there to thrive. I am also looking forward to serving with my longtime mentor, Deacon Chuck Schultz. He has been instrumental in helping me through Formation and we already have ideas about how we will work together in service to the parish.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
A profound, growing, and central role. Prior to Formation, I had become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion as part of my many roles with the Knights of Columbus and it was there that I discovered a deep love for and devotion to the Eucharist. One of my most formative experiences prior to the diaconate was the great privilege of bringing our Lord to the Life Care Center in Westminster, where I watched the peoples’ love for him move the program from one person to a weekly 20-person ministry.
I always loved Eucharistic Adoration, where I could spend quality time in prayer with the Lord. This was supercharged by my capstone project, where I explored this devotion further in an effort to find stillness and silence in our hectic, modern world. Father Jim Baird, my pastor, helped greatly by making the parish available to me whenever needed. Thanks to his support, I was able to complete two months of daily holy hours where I explored the spirituality of the Carthusian monks. During this time, I had many profound experiences in prayer — but I really grew in appreciation for just being there with the Lord… where, to paraphrase a story attributed to St. John Vianney, “I look at him, and he looks at me, and we are happy.”
I also found inspiration from Archbishop Fulton Sheen (who was ordained in my hometown of Peoria, IL!), who prayed a daily holy hour every day of his priesthood. He attributed much of his skill in preaching to this intimate time with the Lord, and I certainly also found much inspiration for my own reflections and preaching during this time of quiet with Jesus.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
A persistent, inexplicable set of questions, actually! I had a close high-school friend reappear after over a decade of absence (neither of us practicing the faith well when we knew each other in high school), and during that discussion he asked me if I had ever thought of becoming a deacon. Weeks later, a woman who I didn’t know well from the parish approached me and asked me the same question. A few more occurrences like this continued to cultivate the seed, and thanks to some urging by my retired pastor, Father Ken Koehler, I eventually approached formation to see what the answer to that question would be.
In hindsight, it is pretty easy to see God’s hand guiding the many activities that I got involved in and his preparation through the St. Mark “That Man Is You!” Group and the Knights of Columbus really showed me the value of learning the faith and practicing charity. I am eternally grateful for the many good people that helped form me along this road, and to God for all of the many graces he continues to provide me.
Deacon Phil McNulty
Notre Dame Parish in Denver
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
It’s not really what I learned, but how I changed during formation. And that was all built on prayer. Looking back, when I started formation, I can say now that I really didn’t know how to pray. Learning that prayer is an intimate conversation with God and practicing and experimenting with different styles and methods of prayer has led to a deeper awareness and practice of the presence of God in my life.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
Over the last four years in formation, my wife and I both have reflected often on the great blessings that God has showered on us through our marriage and throughout our lives. With that in mind, I’m looking forward to seeing what God has in store for my diaconal ministry.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. My experience bears that out; the Eucharist is the foundation of my vocation to the diaconate both in Holy Communion and Eucharistic Adoration. Both provide an opportunity to encounter God in a profound and intimate way. Both are God’s response to the desire of our hearts:
"O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. So, I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. So, I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. For you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast" (Psalm 63).
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
It started with a whisper. Early in our marriage, my wife Debbie and I had an opportunity to get to know Deacon Chuck Lamar at Light of the World. That planted the seed. The seed was watered through the years by the witness of Deacons Rich Boyd, Glenn Allison and Mike Daly at Our Lady of Fatima. I know that God was leading me to take on certain challenges and responsibilities in my career and once I had met those challenges, the thought of the diaconate became a constant voice in my head calling me to formation.
Deacon Kevin McCutcheon
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
To paraphrase St. Catherine of Siena: That I am nothing, and he, Christ, is everything. The Love the Lord has for us is sometimes overwhelming for this simple mind. I've learned that as I let him love me, and not fight him in his plan for me — to trust him — he will not lead me astray. The Lord wants what's best for all of us even when we can't see it; his plan is always better than ours.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
If it's okay, there are two things: First, to serve at the Lord's altar — what an honor! Second, my archdiocesan ministry will be working with Christ in the City. These young people give me so much hope! I have a lot to learn from them and I am really excited about working with them.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?Being blessed to be a daily communicant is life changing. The strength and consolation I receive in the Eucharist has helped me through formation. And while I don't always "feel" anything after communion, I know he is in me and he is at work in my soul.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
It wasn't either one really, but it was definitely the strong voice of God speaking directly to me: "I want you to be a Deacon." His voice was as plain as you and me talking to each other. The hearing wasn't in my ears, it was inside me; it resonated in my chest; in my soul.
Deacon Stephen Myer
St. Mary’s Parish in Littleton
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
There are so many things, obviously the theological formation, the rhythm of a prayer routine that becomes part of our daily life, and many others. But maybe for me, it was the realization that sometimes there are clear signs of God’s will, and other times we must move forward with faith and trust. In most instances, we won’t feel qualified or prepared, but there was a point when I simply said, “Lord, I will never be ready, but here I am and I want to do your will.”
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
Most of our lives we choose what we will do, how we will do it and, in my case, I then tend to complain about my choices. But I am excited to serve the Church in whatever capacity I am able. The opportunity to be obedient to the will of God in my assignment, my ministry and however I can apply my talents in serving Christ and the Church. I think that will be a constant opportunity and challenge to learn to grow in humility.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
I cannot imagine trying to go through formation or any of the daily challenges we have in life without the Eucharist. Jesus in the Eucharist has sustained me my whole life in good times and in bad. During formation, I also have begun to realize how beautiful it is to find Jesus in the ordinary, in seeking him in the Eucharist, and not to expect “extraordinary” in how Jesus reveals himself to us.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
My call was a combination of both, it was gentle like a whisper but in the clarity, it was more like a roar. My first reaction was to run for Tarshish like Jonah but I eventually submitted to God’s will — I did stay away from the ocean while I discerned though!
Deacon Luke Oestman
St. John the Evangelist Parish in Yuma
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
I learned that God is within my soul and that he is always there waiting for me, no matter what I have done!
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?Journeying with families and accompanying them along their path with baptisms, marriage prep and funerals.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
I have always staked my life and mission to serve the Church on the true presence of Jesus' Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. Through discerning my vocation to the diaconate, the Eucharist has become the focal point of my service in helping to bring Jesus to his Bride, the Church.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
Every step of the way, Jesus has confirmed my call. I knew I was in the right place when I was praying in the small chapel at the Seminary (at the first discernment meeting) and saw my two great patrons, St. Francis of Assisi (in the stained glass image) and St. John Paul II (a first class relic: a drop of his blood), and I knew they were interceding for me to find this calling over the previous 20 years since World Youth Day 2000 in Rome.
Deacon Joshua Knight
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Denver
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
I have learned that God loves me intensely, and even thinks of me as his beloved. May he give me the grace to open up fully to him.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to finally beginning, after four years of formation, and so much preparation, it will be so nice to serve in this role.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
The Eucharist is my only chance to commune with my Lord, body and blood. I only pray that he will help me love him more intensely into understanding this amazing sacrament more for me.
Would you characterize God's call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
God has always whispered to me, including this call. He always speaks to me in the quiet stillness of my heart. It is so hard to hear his voice amongst the scream of this world! May God give us all of the ears of his lambs, so that we may hear only his voice, and listen only to him, and no other!
Deacon Ed Green
Sacred Heart Parish in Roggen
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
Using Lectio Divina as a means of prayer and analysis has been one of the most valuable lessons. Lectio Divina — reflecting, praying and listening with scripture has been an emphasis of the four years and was used in a multitude of exercises.
One example was an exercise to analyze what sin affects us most and then develop a strategy of mitigation. We would reflect on scripture, using Lectio to identify our core sin, the pattern of this sin in one week and a strategy over three weeks. The key was to let the Holy Spirit be our guide. Knowledge of my core sin has been very beneficial in guiding my actions.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
The baptism of my granddaughter the following week would have to be the near-term big thing. In general, the ability to teach and preach the Gospel message, helping others to understand the faith and how it applies in their life.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, it is our life as a Christian. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56). Eucharist is our union with Christ. He lives in me, within my soul and within my body. We are one and I believe this. Union with Christ is the purpose and goal of our existence.
I am here for Christ, not the “good-life” that this world offers. As we know, the life of this world has blips of happiness, but is one that is surrounded by misery, a lack of peace and life without God. The Eucharist is God’s great gift that leads us to him and strengthens us in that union.
Would you characterize God's call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
God’s call has been a whisper. I remember a priest teaching our confirmands that to hear God’s call, you have to be close to him. As I got closer to God, so did his voice. I have always had a prayer life, but that regiment was not sufficient. Over the last 15 years, I started to go to confession more often, capture a daily Mass during the week, read and reflect on the readings of the day. I made my business trips a mini-retreat with reading, time in chapel and a Mass if possible. A chapel opened up close to work and I was able to spend time with the Lord after work and this is where I heard the call. The call has been a consistent and quiet whisper.
Deacon Thomas Garcia
Shrine of St. Anne in Arvada
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
I learned to trust in God’s will and plan for me. I faced an agonizing discernment that would have either had me leaving formation or attending my son’s civil union to another man. God called me into formation knowing my son’s nature. He also knew that he wanted me to be both father and deacon. In the end, with the help of my formators, I was able to discern that I needed to follow God’s call and trust that he would take care of my son and our relationship.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
It is a toss-up between preaching and just being there for families when they need the Church most: when they are mourning; when they are celebrating baptisms and weddings; or when they are having a hard day and just need someone to listen.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. During formation, I really began to crave adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Sitting with our Lord, and just being with him brings so much peace and comfort. Being able to receive him, body, blood, soul and divinity at Mass is amazing. I can’t help but smile when I’m distributing either species, knowing I am holding God in my hands!
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
My call was definitely a roar! I was on a week-long business trip in Copenhagen. I met a colleague, who like me, traveled over 100,000 miles that year on business. The first night at dinner I learned that he is a deacon in the Byzantine rite. We spent the dinners and breaks talking about our faith, and how he managed to balance being a deacon with his busy professional life. At the end of the week, he told me I needed to pray about whether I was being called. I spent the 14-hour trip home praying about it. When I got home, I told my bride about the conversation and that I thought I needed to look into becoming a deacon. Her response was, “I always thought you’d do that.” When was she going to tell me?!?
Deacon Paul VanHoudt
St. John the Baptist Parish in Johnstown
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
I learned that I am not in control of my future. I had some medical issues during formation that redirected my path and brought me to a realization that the plans I make may not be the same as those that God had in mind for me.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?Meeting and getting to know the parishioners and walking with them on their faith journey.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
I had an awakening about 15 years ago which brought me to a regular practice of meeting Christ in adoration. Everything I have done on my faith journey since then has grown from that practice.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
I would say it was a whisper. It happened over a 2-3 year period and then it just took off from there.
Deacon Phillip Martinez
St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denver
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
The most important thing I learned in formation is that no matter how much I felt I was in full control of my life, I am and have been living the life God has intended for me. I am just cooperating.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
I would have to say that at the top of my list of things I look forward to is to be an instrument to bring back the Catholic faith to those that haven't been practicing their faith. I would love to see the pews filled every Sunday.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
The Eucharist has been a major influence in my life and vocation, I feel my relationship with Jesus when I have the opportunity to be in the Lord's presence in adoration, and upon receiving communion I not only feel the presence of God with me, but I recognize a difference in my day when I start it with his presence within me.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
For me, God’s call to the diaconate was a whisper. After discerning for four years in the formation process, I recognized the presence of God in my life from an early age and it all led up to what I have done and where I am today. I definitely walked to this point in my vocation with baby steps.
Deacon Raul Martinez
St. Teresa Parish in Frederick
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
One of the most valuable things I learned during formation in the diaconate was humility. The importance of having a humble heart in order to serve as Christ the servant. One of the most beautiful fruits of seeking humility was learning to trust, abandon and surrender myself to God’s loving and merciful will in every circumstance of my life. God gave me many beautiful opportunities to trust in him where he reminded me that it didn’t matter how difficult the circumstance was: I am his and I am so loved.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to serving the people of God and sharing the Good News of God’s love, the love that I have encountered and embraced, especially to those that do not know of him. I am looking forward to serving at my parish of St. Theresa and my ministry of hospital apostolate, by God’s grace bringing hope, God’s love and consolation to those that are in a time of need.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?The Eucharist has played a huge role in my faith and vocation, knowing that at every Eucharist we physically and spiritually are renewed in the incorporation to Christ. We become a part of him. When we participate in the Eucharist, we are raised up into union with him helping us become more fully the person Christ calls us to be. This is what makes me so fulfilled, loved, nourished and gives me life.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
God’s call was a whisper at first, a very gentle whisper where he allowed me to respond and see that I needed to get my priorities straight in life in order to be able to serve him in the capacity that he was calling me to. I had gone through a very difficult time in my life and took a few years to discern my call back. I had a little bit of a louder whisper one morning awakened by the urge and feeling of being ready to go back to formation, which was the day Deacon St. Louis passed away. I truly felt that was Deacon St. Louis’ last push for me to come back to my call before he went to heaven. Then, while kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament at World Youth Day in Panama, it was more of a gentle roar reiterating my call to enter formation, become a deacon and serve God as he was calling me to.
Deacon Jerry Swain
Blessed Sacrament Parish in Denver
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
The most valuable thing I learned in formation for the diaconate is that there’s always room to grow in the faith. I entered formation thinking I was pretty hot stuff. Within hours of the first day, I realized that God had a lot of work to do with me because I was not the best man I could be, and now I know that I need to constantly strive to know, to love and to serve God.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
I am eagerly looking forward to ministering those in my home parish. As a convert, I went through RCIA, was baptized, confirmed, received First Communion, and celebrated the marriage rite at Blessed Sacrament Parish. I am also very excited to assist in the ministry of hospice where I will have the opportunity to tend to souls, and I pray that I can help God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost get as many souls to heaven as possible.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?Years ago, as I was going through RCIA, my desire for the Eucharist increased week after week, month after month. Receiving the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil in 2011 was incredibly joyous.
It wasn’t long after, while in adoration, I had a deep spiritual experience while looking at the Eucharist in the monstrance. For years during formation, I was able to do evening prayer at the tabernacle on a daily basis and this was deeply meaningful to me. It has been a joy to take the fruits of all these experiences into training for altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. I try to express the joy and the wonder that the Lord is present — that he is truly present in the Eucharist.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
God's call for me to the diaconate probably came as a whisper, but I am so hard of hearing I didn’t hear it. The reality is that on October 22, 2018, during an evening devotional, God called me to enter formation for the diaconate. The call came after months of deep prayer when he led me to 1 Timothy 3:9, which is in a set of verses that talks about deacons. When the call came, my jaw dropped and I knew in my heart that something very special just happened. I told my wife Darci, signed up for the discernment retreat, and submitted the application as fast as I could. Formation was a joyful process for me because I knew in my heart, I was answering his clear call for me and my family.
Deacon Chris Hora
Guardian Angels Parish in Mead
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
Patience and Persistence. Yeah, I know, you said one, but these go hand in hand.
First, we need to be patient with ourselves. It is easy to beat ourselves up when we miss our prayer time or fall back into one or more of the sins that we have been struggling with. We need to be patient with ourselves — God is. At the same time, we need to be persistent with our prayer life and seeking to know our Lord. Getting back up, dusting ourselves off, and returning to our prayers — and confession if needed — is essential.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
When I returned to the Church, I entered a parish in Albuquerque, and was struck by the sanctity and holiness that the place held. The only way to describe it was that the sanctity and holiness was physical; I could almost touch it and taste it.
I hope to help at least one person to experience that presence of God in their life.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?The Eucharist has played an immense role in my faith.
I had wandered away from the faith for a time. I went with some friends to non-denominational services, but something was always missing. As I had forgotten much of what was taught by my CCD teachers (we call them R.E. Teachers now), I couldn’t put my finger on what was missing.
When I re-learned the truth about the Eucharist, I figured out what was missing, and began to crave it. Going back to confession and the Eucharist has been a major key to the growth in my faith, and the discernment process for my vocation to the diaconate.
Would you characterize God's call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
A little of both, actually. As a child, I heard the whisper from time to time, but I really didn’t pursue it. When I discussed it with my parents, they disregarded it, saying that I wasn’t exactly a very prayerful person.
It was only when I started coming back to the Church that I started to pursue it, and the call was closer to a roar. As an adult, when I began to pursue the calling, it reduced back to a whisper. Always there reminding me that he is calling.
Deacon Ashley Lessard
St. Mary’s Parish in Littleton
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
To begin again. In the words of Venerable Bruno Lanteri: "Though I fall a thousand times, each time… I will rise again as peaceful as if it were the first, knowing my weakness and knowing, Lord, your great mercy...if I should fall even a thousand times a day, a thousand times, with peaceful repentance, I will say immediately, Nunc coepi [Now I begin], my God, my God!”
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
Through the ministry of service, to help others know how much God loves them, to give what he takes, and to take what he gives, with a big smile.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?The Eucharist has been my strength and my song. There is no place I would rather be.
Would you characterize God's call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
A whisper. For me, God speaks in a still, small voice. I am still learning to be quiet enough to listen.
Deacon Bernie Schwartze
St. Anthony Parish in Sterling
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
There were so many things to learn but the most valuable is to conform my will to God's will through prayer.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
To serve God by serving the archbishop, the Pastor of St. Anthony and the people of the community.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?
The Eucharist has and does play the central role in my faith and vocation. Spending time in adoration gives me time to spend with Christ and that time is, for me, is the most precious of time.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
Both! There have been times in my life where God's will was shown to me through coincidences, little small happenings and quiet reflection. And there have been times when he made his will known through thunder and lightning, literally. The key has been to listen with the heart and understand what was happening. This was particularly evident to me during my year spent in Afghanistan. God was watching over me in so many ways.
Deacon Gelasio Velasco
St. Mary’s Parish in Eagle
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
There were several, but I believe one of the most valuable is that we need to surrender totally to God. I found out from the beginning of formation that I am nobody and know nothing on my own, so I needed to let God work in me and do everything for me.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?Going back to the beginning of my formation, I wanted to be a deacon, but I needed to discern the reason for that. Over time, I learned that serving others was one of the many reasons to follow this path, and after deeply understanding that the deacon is the image of Jesus the servant, that is what I am looking forward to doing for my community.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?The Eucharist, of course, plays the primary role in my faith and vocation. My discernment to respond to this vocation started in front of the Holy Sacrament and continues feeding me. It is very exciting that I was ordained in the middle of the Church's call for Eucharistic Revival, it will give me the opportunity to talk more about the Eucharist and help others to learn about it.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
I believe that in my case this call was literally a whisper. Several years ago, while driving to work and listening to some Christian music, I heard the call from the Lord to help my parish. I needed to stop my car and call my pastor and talk about a job opening. Since then, I started to work in my parish and continued receiving these whisperings deep in my mind through the years until I decided to say “yes” to the Lord for the vocation to the diaconate.
Deacon Robert Uphoff
Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora
What is one of the most valuable things you learned during your formation for the diaconate?
The most valuable thing for me was to expand and deepen my prayer life. Specifically, we learned about many types and forms of prayer — most I had not been exposed to previously. One of the most efficacious was the practice of the presence of God throughout the day. Developing a deeper contemplative prayer life was foundational and transformative. Lastly, I relied heavily on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, such as the discernment of spirits and discerning the will of God. I benefited greatly from four years of sharing our collective prayer experiences among the men in formation. Comparing and contrasting our prayer experiences was instrumental to my development.
What is one thing about the diaconate that you are most looking forward to?
I look forward to serving with the clergy and staff at Queen of Peace Parish, whether it’s in the liturgy or in a service ministry. I’ve already had a chance to meet many of the parishioners and staff and I’m blessed to be invited into this community. I’m also looking forward to my diocesan ministry outside of the parish. I have been assigned to the Deacon Assistance Apostolate. Through this ministry, I hope to serve my fellow deacons with the same love and compassion that they share with the faithful throughout the diocese and to be a servant to those who serve the faithful.
What role has the Eucharist played in your own faith and vocation to the diaconate?The Eucharist was central to my formation. Both my wife Ann and I regularly participate in daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The Eucharist was my rock during the storms of formation. The Eucharist was also central to my formation capstone assignment. This focus of my capstone was to grow in virtue by growing in friendship with God. In a special way, I relied on the graces received from regular participation in Mass and Eucharistic Adoration to strengthen and sustain me in the pursuit of temperance and fortitude. There was a direct correlation between these Eucharistic practices and growth in virtue and deepening my friendship with God.
Would you characterize God’s call to the diaconate for you as a whisper or a roar? Why?
I would characterize it a whisper that grew to a roar over time. During the initial stage of discernment, the Lord encouraged me through parishioners and clergy at my home parish, Our Lady of Loreto. They saw possibilities in me that I did not see in myself. My wife, Ann, and I just took it one step at a time. It was a "yes" to a thousand little steps. I was confident that the Lord would give me a sign if he didn’t want me to proceed. During the last two years of formation, the encouraging whisper became a roar. My confidence in the call grew as I began to be formed in the image of Christ the Servant. My desire is that more men in the diocese follow this example. Don’t look at it as a long-term commitment to start. Just investigate it. Say "yes" to the first step. Then see where the Lord takes you from there. That was the process for me. I am grateful to God and to all who played a role in my discernment.
תגובות