Name: Gregory Schultz
Age: 58
Spouse: Kathleen
Home parish: St. Hubert in Chanhassen
Residence: Eden Prairie
Profession: Engineering
Children: William (29), Christine Hammad (26), Jeffrey (25)
Birthplace: Alexandria
Q) What inspired you to pursue the diaconate?
A) I attended a Christ Renews His Parish retreat in March of 2016 that included the sacrament of reconciliation. I remember preparing well prior to participating in the sacrament, and then I made a thorough confession. I felt immense peace and comfort following, and God spoke directly to me at that time. God told me the love and mercy I was feeling was something he has for everyone, and he wanted me to help spread this good news to others. In the following weeks, two parishioners asked me if I had ever considered the diaconate. God works in mysterious ways.
Q) What made you certain this was your call?
A) Kathleen and I have closely monitored inner peace; we consider this the most important indicator that we are following God’s call and plan for our lives. As my prayer life has deepened, I have felt more certain of this call. Kathleen and I are both at peace with formation and my upcoming ordination.
Q) What aspect of diaconate ministry are you most looking forward to?
A) I look forward to meeting people where they are and journeying with them. When two or more are gathered, God’s love is always revealed, drawing us all closer to God.
Q) What areas of ministry are you especially interested in?
A) I especially like to meet with people one on one. I plan to explore integrating spiritual direction into my future ministry.
Q) What role will your family play in your new ministry?
A) Kathleen has been my primary support through formation and will continue to support me in my vocation serving as deacon.
Q) Where do you see the greatest needs in the local Church?
A) Our local Church is suffering from threats, both from the outside as well as the inside. We all need to be intentional about building community, especially in this challenging and divisive climate.
Q) What part of your formation has been the most rewarding?
A) Diaconate formation is largely focused on building a relationship with Jesus Christ. Formation is five years long, but it does not take nearly that long to know how to be a “technical deacon” as Deacon Joe Michalak has said many times. The fruit of my formation is developing a deeper prayer life, attending Mass as often as possible and spending time in adoration. All these things have strengthened my relationship with Jesus.
Q) Who has been a model for your ministry?
A) I have had the blessing of many great formators during the last several years, and it is difficult to give a name. However, Deacon Dan Gannon, director of The St. Paul Seminary’s Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation, stands out to me. He has helped me deepen my prayer life like none other. I am very grateful for his blessing on my formation.
Q) What do you most hope to offer the Church through this vocation?
A) I pray that I will be a humble servant of the Church and participate in building the body of Christ.
Q) What has been the most challenging part of pursuing this vocation?
A) I know how unworthy I am to serve as deacon. I must pray daily to trust that God will give me the grace I need to serve him with reverence and honor.
Q) What can the Church do to inspire other men to answer the diaconate calling?
A) As the number of deacons in our archdiocese increases, I think more and more men will come to appreciate this vocation and will be more open to the call.
Q) What advice would you give another man discerning the diaconate?
A) Diaconate formation is a process of discernment. If you are considering formation, know you are not committing to becoming a deacon, but to simply starting the discernment process. As you move through the process, it will become clear if the diaconate is the path God is calling you to. Even if you discern out, you will have grown a lot in your spirituality.
