Name: Patrick Kirsch
Age: 58
Spouse: Ann Louise
Home parish: St. Joseph in Waconia
Residence: Waconia
Profession: Property management
Children: Emily (27), Margaret Fanselow (25), Laura (23)
Birthplace: Wayzata
Q) What inspired you to pursue the diaconate?
A) A seed was planted for the diaconate by Deacon Tim Harrer when I was around 35 years old. Our parish hired Deacon Tim as a full-time employee, and I was a trustee at the time. I remember him asking me the question, “Have you ever thought about being a deacon?” We had three young children at the time, and I said maybe when they were older. Then my wife signed us up for a Jeff Cavins Bible study, and from there, I attended a number of retreats — the best retreat of all being Christ Renews His Parish (now called The Welcome Retreat). The Holy Spirit sparked an overwhelming fire in my spiritual life, which catapulted me to discern this vocation.
Q) What made you certain this was your call?
A) I believe our first year of formation in the school of prayer helped my discernment of this diaconate calling. I learned the importance of prayer in my life. Prayer is so integral and the foundation of growth in one’s spiritual life. Making more time for God and less time for worldly pursuits gave me a sense of peace. There is no substitute for spending time in prayer and opening your heart to the Lord. Through prayer and the formation process at the Institute for Diaconate Formation, the calling became very clear.
Q) What aspect of diaconate ministry are you most looking forward to?
A) I look forward to proclaiming the Gospel and serving at the altar. People need to hear the good news. While also being at the altar, the deacon brings all the prayers and petitions of the people he meets in his daily secular life. He offers them to God when he hands the paten with the host to the priest right before the bread and wine are transformed into Jesus’ body and blood. All is lifted up to our Lord and united with him.
Q) What areas of ministry are you especially interested in?
A) I have a passion for the pro-life message. I have been involved in a ministry called Enkrateia House of Hope that provides a home to homeless pregnant mothers. In our society today, the sanctity of all life is under attack, and people need to know how much God loves every person from the womb to the tomb. God knew us before we were even born; he knit us in our mother’s womb. He has a plan for our lives and wants to be a part of our life. People need to hear this. We are all sons and daughters of God, made in his image. We are all miracles in God’s master plan. I hope I can present this message often.
Q) If applicable, what role will your family play in your new ministry?
A) My wife and daughters have been very supportive of my diaconate decision and have encouraged me throughout my formation. As a family, we have been involved in various mission work and outreach. My daughters are now spread across the country and active in their new parishes. They continually let me know of their support and prayers and inspire me with their servant hearts.
Q) Where do you see the greatest needs in the local Church?
A) I see the greatest need in the local Church for people to know that God is relevant in their lives. We live in an apostolic society where people need to hear the Gospel and the good news. It is not a given anymore that people know God. People need to hear and know that God loves them so much that he died for each and every one of them, and he wants a personal relationship with us. God is not some spirit in the sky. Our God is a person, Jesus Christ, who came to this earth 2,000 years ago and comes to us every day in the Mass and sacraments, and constantly renews us.
Q) What part of your formation has been the most rewarding?
A) I believe my relationship with my wife has grown stronger these past five years. I can honestly say we have had some frank discussions of the challenges there are at times integrating this ministry into our lives, but it has been a blessing. I am especially grateful to my spiritual director, Father John Bauer, who has helped me throughout these past six years in my faith journey. I could not have done this without his wisdom, advice and perspective through the discernment process. He has been a big blessing in my life.
Q) Who has been a model for your ministry?
A) I have been blessed to be at our parish my entire life, and we have had excellent priests and deacons. Deacon Jim Bauhs was our deacon when I began the IDF, and he was very supportive and encouraging. It was overwhelming at times, and he helped me keep my formation in perspective. So did my spiritual director, Father John Bauer, who helped me as a humble, faith-filled man of God, encouraging me that God is with you in everything you are doing. The question was posed to me a number of times, “How much time are you spending in prayer and silence before God?” They are both men of prayer and integrity, and I am so grateful for their witness and support.
Q) What do you most hope to offer the Church through this vocation?
A) I hope to serve at the altar worthily, proclaim the Gospel well and be the hands and feet of Christ. With God’s grace, may I be his vehicle to bring souls to Christ and know his love for them. We are all broken and need to know how special we are in God’s eyes and how he is so forgiving and invites us back to him always.
Q) What has been the most challenging part of pursuing this vocation?
A) The biggest challenge has probably been myself. I am a person who likes to be in charge and often do my own will. I have come to realize that it is not about my will but the Father’s will for my life. He has chosen me for this vocation, and during these past five years, I have learned God has the best plan for my life and my family’s life. I constantly remind myself with the prayer: Jesus, I trust in you; Jesus, I trust in you; Jesus, I trust in you.
Q) What can the Church do to inspire other men to answer the diaconate calling?
A) The Church can inspire other men to this calling by making the ministry better known. Not many people in the Church really know what a deacon is and what he does. All parishes should announce when there are information sessions at the seminary. Information sessions can also be held at individual parishes. The deacon is Christ the servant. There are many men we all know that would be excellent deacons. So, ask them the question, “Have you ever thought about being a deacon?”
Q) What advice would you give another man discerning the diaconate?
A) I would say be open to the call. Take time to pray and be in silence before the Lord. I would also encourage him to ask Mother Mary for her intercession in this potential calling. Mother Mary is always there to intercede on our behalf with her son. We were reminded throughout formation to “trust the process,” and that is some of the best advice I have ever received.
