Name: Christopher Vance
Age: 58
Spouse: Leila
Home parish: Transfiguration in Oakdale
Residence: St. Paul
Profession: Carpentry and technology at St. Agnes Church and School
Children: Theresa (31), Christopher (29), Nicholas (27), Elisa Kidd (24), Natalie (19), AnnMarie (17)
Birthplace: Oxnard, California
Q) What inspired you to pursue the diaconate?
A) I believe the seed of the vocation was planted toward the end of my five years with the Companions of Christ, an archdiocesan association of priests. I knew I was not called to be a priest, but there remained this pull on my heart to be near the altar. It became even clearer while listening to homilies from the deacon at our parish. While he would share his encounters in ministry, I would pray, “Holy Spirit, I want to be your instrument in this way.” I saw in this deacon, by the way he lived his life, a connection between the altar and charity.
Q) What made you certain this was your call?
A) I believe what really drove it home was an encounter with the deacon presiding over my dad’s burial. In his gentle way, the deacon’s words of hope and comfort convened with my sorrow. It truly felt like he was part of our family. This experience ignited my longing, and I had a profound peace at that moment to move forward with the application process.
Q) What aspect of diaconate ministry are you most looking forward to?
A) I believe that ministering as a deacon in Mass will be the pinnacle of my day.
Q) What areas of ministry are you especially interested in?
A) I have not experienced a strong draw toward any particular area. Many of the ministries that are commonly assigned to deacons are appealing to me.
Q) What role will your family play in your new ministry?
A) In these past seven years of formation, I have been flooded with their prayers and encouragement as I learn to serve God in this way. I can count on them. They know that a deacon’s involvement with the sacramental and pastoral needs of God’s people will seep into family life. Their sacrificial “yes” will be known by the Lord.
Q) Where do you see the greatest needs in the local Church?
A) Our youth to encounter Christ in a personal way and become his followers.
Q) What part of your formation has been the most rewarding?
A) The impact of God’s grace has brought about healing from past wounds and an appreciable growth in self-awareness.
Q) Who has been a model for your ministry?
A) Men, full of the Holy Spirit, such as Deacons Joseph Michalak, Bob Bisciglia, Eric Cooley, Stephen Najarian, Joseph Utecht, Daniel Brewer and my son, Nicholas Vance.
Q) What do you most hope to offer the Church through this vocation?
A) I hope that my diaconal charism will affect my words and actions as a husband, a father and as a deacon. I desire to be a bridge to Christ. I want to walk with my sisters and brothers through the sorrows and joys of life.
Q) What has been the most challenging part of pursuing this vocation?
A) It has been challenging for me to give the Holy Spirit a blank check. I need to allow him to shine his light on every sin, wound and weakness within me. I am learning that uniting with him in that movement through my brokenness is a necessary element of formation, and not always easy.
Q) What can the Church do to inspire other men to answer the diaconate calling?
A) A few ideas come to mind. Invest more in promotion through Catholic media sources. Ask each parish to pray, after each Mass, for an increase in vocations. Send a couple of deacons to visit a parish for a Sunday Mass, assist and preach, and stay after Mass for questions.
Q) What advice would you give another man discerning the diaconate?
A) If a man is interested in this vocation, I would recommend that he begins practicing some of the daily spiritual habits that nourish the life of a deacon. While he prays the Liturgy of the Hours, attends daily Mass and spends time with the Lord in private prayer, I believe this will expose his desire to the light of the Holy Spirit. If his desire grows, he could take the next step and submit this yearning to the Church and give her the opportunity to think it over. I found the Institute for Diaconate Formation office helpful and not pressuring.
