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.
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.
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.
Michael James Daly, 53, said he feels called to serve the sick and the suffering, so they know “they are never alone and that someone is praying for them.”
Drawn to service, Cooley said he felt called to ordained ministry but also to marriage. As he prayed about it the idea of being a deacon arose and continued to grow over the years.
A parishioner of St. Bonaventure in Bloomington and project manager in information technology, he said diaconate formation has helped strengthen the bond between him and his wife, Lisa Anne, and deepened and enriched his prayer life.
