Name: Dan Murphy
Age: 53
Spouse: Traci
Home parish: Divine Mercy in Faribault
Residence: Kilkenny
Profession: Building official (inspector) in Steele County
Children: Jordan Bartholomew (26), Bailey Murphy (24), Matthew Bartholomew (23), Cailyn Murphy (21)
Birthplace: Owatonna
Q) What inspired you to pursue the diaconate?
A) Honestly, God did. When I was about halfway through the Pillars program of the Catechetical Institute, I had a thought pop into my head: “Be a deacon.” I said no at first; it didn’t make sense to me at the time. Why would God call a sinful, broken man to something like this? Then homilies started speaking to my heart at Mass and my wife would nudge me. We would look at each other with a look of bewilderment like, “Is God really asking me to be a deacon? Eventually, I made application to the Institute for Diaconate Formation (IDF) and let the Holy Spirit decide.
Q) What made you certain this was your call?
A) It became clearer after being accepted into the IDF. We had a class called the School of Prayer which really taught me how to go deeper in prayer. We learned how to enter into Sacred Scripture with lectio divina; it was here that I was able to hear God more clearly. Prayer would give me energy, clarity and peace in discerning the diaconate. We also learned the rules of Ignatian discernment, which was essential in the spiritual battle associated with discerning the diaconate.
Q) What aspect of diaconate ministry are you most looking forward to?
A) The answer in one word is “service.” Service to the ministry of the word, to be a herald of the Gospel. Service to the ministry of the altar/liturgy. Service to the ministry of charity, to bring love to the world by meeting people wherever they are in their journey of faith.
Q) What areas of ministry are you especially interested in?
A) The internship to the sick and suffering as well as prison ministry provided a lot of insight to my specific calling. There is so much woundedness and brokenness in the world today due to our sins and those sins committed against us. I hope I can be a bridge to Jesus Christ in the midst of someone’s suffering and pain, to let them know we don’t journey in life alone. The world today needs to see and hear about the hope given to us through Jesus Christ.
Q) Where do you see the greatest needs in the local Church?
A) I see the need for hope in today’s society. We need to bring focus to Jesus Christ; he is the only way to peace and healing within us as a person. Then we can bring that peace and love to the world.
Q) What part of your formation has been the most rewarding?
A) I really enjoyed the spiritual formation. It permitted me to know and love myself through the eyes of Christ. Through prayer and meditation, I was led to see my areas of strength as well as my areas of weakness. I feel the spiritual formation we received has permitted me to grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship brings confidence and trust in the providence of God.
Q) Who has been a model for your ministry?
A) I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one person. The 17 other men in my diaconate class have been great role models. Each one of them with their own wonderful gift strikes awe in my heart; they have been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.
Q) What do you most hope to offer the Church through this vocation?
A) Simply to be a bridge to Jesus Christ, however, wherever or whatever the situation may be.
Q) What has been the most challenging part of pursuing this vocation?
A) The time away from family. Their sacrifice has been great and should be noted. The coursework does take a significant amount of time and effort. To be honest, there were many times I had to read something more than a few times to get a grasp on the subject. Philosophy was one of those subjects that ended up being the most difficult.
Q) What can the Church do to inspire other men to answer the diaconate calling?
A) I think bringing the subject up in men’s groups or inviting deacons to come and just talk about it. Most men are drawn to service whether they know it or not. They serve as leaders of their families, serve at teaching their children, serve at work, serve as a volunteer or donate. We just need to bring their attention to the diaconate and the many ways to serve as Christ the servant.
Q) What advice would you give another man discerning the diaconate?
A) Talk to a deacon! If you don’t have a deacon in your parish, ask your pastor to find one to talk to. My wife and I had brunch with Deacon Tom Michaud and his wife, who were instrumental in my discernment. Attend one of the IDF’s Deacon Discernment Days. A lot of great information is laid out in an easy-to-understand way.
