1. My Journey of Discernment: Hearing the Call to the Diaconate
In 1994, I began working in my parish “part-time”. I worked with middle school and high school initially and then took on R.C.I.A. or what is today referred to as the OCIA. I met monthly with a diocesan group of lay ministers to share experiences and support one another.
In 1998, the Grand Rapids Diocese began to put together a program of formation to reestablish the diaconate in the diocese. The last group of deacons was ordained in the diocese in 1976.
My pastor encouraged me to consider entering the discernment process. One of my main concerns was that the call to discernment was only for men. Most of the lay ministers I worked with were women, and at the time, women in the diaconate were a topic of discussion. I discussed the situation with my colleagues and was encouraged to work from within if that was the call.
One major piece in the process for the married man is the support of his wife. My wife and I did a lot of reflection together. One cannot comprehend the time commitment and the demands formation and the vocation places on the family, in particular on the spouse. The man is not ordained without the consent of his wife.
2. My Most Rewarding Experience as a Deacon
Journeying with and learning from the faith of others. From the time of my formation and continuing through my ministry, I’ve been inspired and humbled seeing God’s grace working in others. One example was a 33-year-old hospice patient with cystic fibrosis whom I asked, “Do you ever get angry with God for this disease?” His response: “I thank God every day for the blessing of so many wonderful people I’ve met because of this disease.”
And then there are the many neophytes I’ve witnessed with teary eyes as they receive the Body and Blood of Jesus for the first time and then even years later see the hint of glassiness still.
3. My Recommendation to Those Considering the Diaconate
Learn to listen in prayer. God often speaks in the silence and in the voices and nudges of others. It’s good to express our needs to God, even though God knows better than we. As the late Bishop Ken Utner would say (and still does through the Little Books he started), “Spend some quiet time with the Lord.”
If you feel that the Lord may be calling you to the diaconate, we encourage you to take the next step in discernment. Please contact our parish office at 352-787-6354 to schedule an appointment with one of our clergy.