Deacons

JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ, 43, said he had his own plans, “but I told the Lord, if you want me to be a deacon, show me the way, and he did so, because every year (in the formation process) he reaffirmed that was the way through the scrutiny,” an evaluation of his formation with diaconate program leaders.

Proclaiming God’s word, bringing the cares of the community to the Eucharist and the Eucharist to those in need, and serving in corporal and spiritual works of mercy. These are critical aspects of a calling to the permanent diaconate, and 10 men to be ordained Dec. 7 have heard and answered that call, said Deacon Joseph Michalak, director of the Institute for Diaconate Formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. All of the faithful are invited to the 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul to celebrate the ordination, Deacon Michalak said. 

In 30 years, Rodney Walker and his family moved three times, and at each of the parishes he attended, the pastor told him the same thing: “You will make a good deacon someday, but not yet.”

During a Mass at a Steubenville North Youth Conference, Joe Utecht, 59, felt called a call to holy orders, and it initially confused him — he was already a husband and father of five. Then he realized that God might be calling him to the diaconate.

William Schroeder, 63, said that a prayer for vocations at Mass stirred his heart to seek out diaconate formation.

A parishioner of St. John the Baptist and software engineer, Joel Niesen said he was first interested in the diaconate 20 years ago, but needs in his family required him to wait to pursue formation.

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.

A business manager, Damiani said diaconate formation has taught him to be open to moments of service and experiences of God’s presence when they are least expected.