DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Eric Evander, 59, urges men who are discerning the diaconate to spend time in an adoration chapel, letting the Lord know what is in their hearts, and to read Scripture, wait, listen and talk to someone already in ministry. An information technology expert, Evander and his wife, Diane, have three adult children and six grandchildren. A parishioner of Holy Family in St. Louis Park, he is scheduled to be ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Dec. 7 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. The Catholic Spirit asked him via email about his vocation. His answers were edited for clarity.
Q. What inspired you to pursue the diaconate?
A. While in my masters of theology program I thought about how God might want me to utilize what I was learning and how to best serve him.
Q. What made you certain this was your call?
A. Previously one of the guys in my men’s prayer group said that I should think about the diaconate. I prayed about it of course, and decided to speak with Deacon Stephen Najarian and we had a nice conversation. After Mass about a month after meeting with him, he told me, “I think you are going to become a deacon.” I had also mentioned that I was considering the diaconate to my parish priest, Father Dufner, and a couple of weeks later after Mass he said, “You are going to become a deacon.” My experience is that God will let me know three times in a clear way in order to catch my attention for something really important. These three men were God’s messengers.
Q. What aspect of diaconate ministry are you most looking forward to?
A. Both serving at the altar in the liturgy and serving people in and outside the parish.
Q. What areas of ministry are you especially interested in?
A. Simply listening to people and their concerns in different situations, and with the help of the Paraclete, pointing them to Our Lord who is both love and truth.
Q. What role will your family play in your new ministry?
A. I can’t say for sure as that will be something which will develop over time.
Q. Where do you see the greatest needs in the local Church?
A. We are an extremely divided country and this is also true of our Church and our archdiocese, and even our families. Politics is not going to help us. Prayer and then listening is what will help heal the divide. Love and truth, together and not separated are necessary ingredients. I believe that the local Synod process is going to be a great blessing to this diocese and if we come together guided by the Holy Spirit, there will be great fruit.
Q. What part of your formation has been the most rewarding?
A. Getting to know my brother deacon candidates and opening ourselves to each other, supporting each other and praying for each other. This is a group of solid and well-formed men thanks to Deacon Michalak and all of those who have instructed us.
Q. Who has been a model for your ministry?
A. Deacon Jim Meyer. He is a deacon at my parish and my spiritual director. I owe much to him on the natural level for the great instruction he has given me and also the spiritual level for the profound insights he has imparted on me. Not to mention the example of a true servant he has shown me. The same can be said of Deacon Newell McGee. I have been blessed by these men.
Q. What do you most hope to offer the Church through this vocation?
A. Simply being a messenger of the Gospel and Jesus’ love and truth.
Q. What has been the most challenging part of pursuing this vocation?
A. All of us deacon candidates have undergone some spiritual attacks, especially in this past year as we have come closer to ordination. The support of my brother candidates has been crucial in this area.
Q. What can the Church do to inspire other men to answer the diaconate calling?
A. It seems what this archdiocese is doing has been effective as the newest class has 23 men, about double what has been the norm.
Q. What advice would you give another man discerning the diaconate?
A. Spend much time at an adoration chapel and let our Lord know what is on your heart. Read Scripture, wait and listen. Set up a time to meet with a deacon and attend an inquiry session.
