April 3, 2008

By Pam Flynn

Managing Editor

On Saturday, April 19, twenty-two men will receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders as they are ordained as Permanent Deacons by Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.

The men have been preparing for this day for five years of formation. The men, along with their wives, have met for study, prayer and discernment. Last week, The West Tennessee Catholic introduced half of the diaconate class of 2008. This issue of The West Tennessee Catholic introduces the remaining 11 men.

"I can't truly say I had a vision or heard a voice," said deacon candidate Henry Littleton, Jr., "but there was an ever present call to serve the Church." When Henry was approached and asked to consider the diaconate formation program by Father Rick Gantert, Henry said he "experienced a feeling of comfort that can only come from God when one is moved by God's grace and His call to serve." Henry and his wife, Jeanne, are members of Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

Dave Lucchesi and his wife, Janet, are parishioners at the Church of the Incarnation, They have three grown children. "A man and his spouse who are called to service in the permanent diaconate have come to see the events of their lives as a reflection of the Gospels and become gratefully aware of God's assistance throughout," said Dave. "God's message to me simply says `Love one another as I have loved you' and in doing so we become who we are called to be."

"I felt I had been serving the Lord part time during my life so far, with family and job obligations,," said John Moskal, a candidate for the diaconate. "I have felt a strong call to serve Him more fully and to devote my time to Him." John and his wife Carol are parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. They have four grown children.

St. Mary Jackson parishioners Jim and Peggy Moss are also on the journey to the diaconate. "The diaconate program has been a natural progression in my faith journey," said Jim. "I felt a true calling to travel this path." The Moss' have three grown children.

"When my children were young, I prayed for their religious vocations," said Jim Piatchek. "These prayers were eventually answered, but for me. I felt that God has said to me `I want you. You are the one'." Jim and his wife, Sally, are members of St. Francis of Assisi Church and have four children.

Rick Quinn is a parishioner at the Church of the Ascension. He has two grown children. "I felt the call of God in my life," said Rich of his decision to join the diaconate formation program.

Joseph Randolph, Jr. and his wife, Laverne are members of St. Augustine Church. "I felt God was calling me to serve him in a special vocation," said Joseph, "but I couldn't put my arms around it." He said he was approached to join the diaconate formation program by both deacons at St. Augustine. "It was during this period of time that I realized that God had been calling me to this ministry. I accepted and acknowledged this call even more as I journeyed through the formation discernment process. I'm grateful and blessed spiritually to be on the path to ordination."

"It's a question, for me, of why God wanted me to be a deacon," said deacon candidate Bob Skinner. "I discerned for eight years before applying. It was a small still voice on the night that led me to where I am today." Bob and his wife, Myrna, are parishioners at St. Ann Church. They have three grown children.

Bob Walker and his wife, Linda, are members of the Church of the Incarnation. "I am answering a call from God I received in 1969 to feed his sheep," said Bob. The Skinners have raised four children.

"I have an ever increasing desire to give my time to the Church and the congregation," said deacon candidate David Wooley. "I started to increase my stewardship about 15 years ago but was lacking the time to give fully. I have decided to do something about that and make the time by serving as a deacon." David has one son and attends St. Anne Church.

Part Four of Six

By Pam Flynn

Managing Editor

On Saturday, April 19, twenty-two men will receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders as they are ordained as Permanent Deacons by Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.

The men have been preparing for this day for five years of formation. The men, along with their wives, have met for study, prayer and discernment. This week, The West Tennessee Catholic will introduce half of the diaconate class of 2008. The next issue of The West Tennessee Catholic will introduce the remaining 11 men.

Deacon candidate Ernie Albonetti and his wife, Kathy, look forward to the ordination in April. "While we are all called to serve," said Ernie, "I was not willing to focus on this obligation until 2001. It was through the support and encouragement of my wife, pastor, other priests and deacons that I decided to stop giving God my spare time and make this serious commitment. Unworthy as I am, my prayer is to be of service." The Albonettis are parishioners at St. Mary Church in Memphis.

Norman Alexander felt a call to join the diaconate program. After much consideration, and discussions with his wife, Jewell, he decided to join the program. He and Jewell, who are parishioners at St. Michael Church, have two children, Rachel, 12 and David, 4.

Michael Blomé and his wife, Peggy, are parishioners at St. Philip the Apostle Church and have three grown children. "Participating in religious life goes back to my college days when I had converted to Catholicism and had visions of becoming an Alexian brother," said Michael. "I chose instead to pursue marriage, family and career. Retirement from work obligations has allowed me to fulfill my path to diaconate ordination and fulltime involvement and service to the Church."

Walt Bolton said of his interest in the diaconate program, "I truly felt that the Lord was calling me to be a deacon." He and his wife, Mary Beth are parishioners at St. John Church in Memphis and have three grown children.

"I have always felt that God was calling me to service," said deacon candidate Dale Brown. "I feel God has called me to bring all his people into a deeper understanding of His truth." Brown and his wife, Linda, are members of St. Mary Church in Jackson. They have one grown son.

Dan and Claudette Brown are members of Holy Rosary Church. They have two grown children. When considering his call to the diaconate, Dan said, "I spent nearly a week praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament asking the Lord why I was worthy. Then I reflected on the call of the prophets who often times felt unworthy. I looked at the kind of men Jesus called to be apostles. Again, none of them were perfect. I, like Samuel, answered saying `Speak Lord for thy servant hears.' Sitting still in front of the Blessed Sacrament gave me my answer."

"I have always felt strongly that I received a calling from God...," said deacon candidate Jeff Drzycimski. "...a calling to serve our Church, our Bishop, and all of the people in the Diocese of Memphis." Jeff and his wife, Bess, and their nine children are parishioners at Holy Rosary Church. "I have also realized that my willingness to answer God's call to Holy Orders, may, in some small way, serve as an example to our children and give them the courage to listen closely to God and answer whatever call He may give them."

Deacon candidate Louis Ferrante, and his wife Rose, are parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Church. "I first became interested in the diaconate program in the 1990s but was unable to apply due to health issues. I am now able to participate fully and look forward to my ordination in April." The Ferrantes have two grown children.

Rodney and Stacy Freed are members of St. Jude Church in Martin. They have a daughter, Ainsley, 6. "Joining the diaconate program was not a decision I made quickly," said Rodney. "I thought about it for years when we lived in Florida. With a desire to serve God and the Church, I decided to enter the program. Stacy and I have received so much support from our pastor in Martin, Father Paolozzi and our parish family at St. Jude. This decision has changed our lives in so many ways and we have been truly blessed."

"This has been a deep calling for me since high school," said deacon candidate John Knight. "I felt it would be a great way to be more dedicated to God and to serve His people." Knight and his wife, Patricia are members of St. Francis of Assisi Church and have two grown children. "I want to share my experiences with others to help them grow in the Catholic faith," added Knight.

Ed Kutz and his wife Diane are parishioners at Sacred Heart Church in Humboldt and St. Matthew Church in Milan. They have two grown daughters. "For many years, I felt a call from God to serve Him and His Church in a more and complete way," said Ed. "What better way than to be a deacon and servant of the Lord! As a deacon I can be given more responsibility to serve the people of God."

By Anna Champion

Have you witnessed a miracle lately?

Miracles happen in the most unusual places and at the strangest times. The woman who reached out to touch the hem of Jesus' garment was hoping to be healed. She was graced with a miracle that day. The beggar sitting outside the city gates who cried, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me" (Mt. 9:27) was hopeful that day. He wanted to be productive. He didn't want to continue to beg for his living and his very existence. That day centuries ago, he was the recipient of a miracle. The official who asked Jesus to help his daughter was also seeking something that day. He was yearning desperately for a miracle, for not only was his daughter sick, but she had died. His daughter was gifted with the miracle of a new life that day.

And on April 19, twenty-two men from the Diocese of Memphis will proceed into the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Each will go boldly toward their ordination as a deacon for the diocese. They will lay themselves on the Cathedral floor as they are prayed over. They will kneel before Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D. with their hands clasped and their heads bowed in reverence as the bishop lays hands on and anoints them. Twenty-two men will leave their respective homes early that Saturday morning knowing they are to be ordained. What they may not know is they will be on their way to a miracle. The people who gather with them to celebrate this very important event should forever remember the day and time for they will be witnesses to the beginning of 22 miracles.

Why describe their ordination as a miracle and not just a sacred church event? Because, it truly is more than that. These 22 men are not simply giving their lives over to the working of the Holy Spirit and the service of the Diocese of Memphis. These men are saying "yes" to the Lord, "Here I Am, Lord. Use me. Mold me. Shape me. Send me."

I'm sure there are naysayers screaming, "Get a grip _ it's just an ordination!" I beg to differ. The woman who reached out to simply touch the hem of Jesus' garment knew it was more than simply a tunic. The beggar who cried out knew he would be heard above the ear shattering din which must have been common at the city gate. And, the official knew this man could awake his daughter from the sleep of death. I know that the men who will be ordained on that next month will embrace miracle after miracle. By saying "Here I am, Lord" these new servants are accepting the miracle of lifelong commitment to service and obedience to the Word. They are accepting the realization of the miracle of living out daily Matthew 25:40. Lastly, they are standing firm as they become witnesses in the miracle of fearlessness in service to the Lord.

The miracle of lifelong commitment and obedience to the Word is not something all are willing to attest to before a packed church. The commitment to the Word is more than simply giving lip service to the words spoken during the rite. This commitment means believing those words in your heart and living out the call to service each and every day. It means, simply, giving your all to the service of the kingdom. Can you do this through your baptismal commitment? Of course you can, and we all should be living and doing all we can to advance the kingdom of God and service to God's people. But ordination as a deacon takes it just a step further. It means, I won't do this until something better comes along. This is not just some "phase" for me. Ordination is true commitment. For life. . . Forever. . .

A deacon's role is one of the most varied in the church. As a deacon's wife, I see the deacon's role as chief cook and bottle washer, preacher, teacher, shoulder to cry on, person to rant and rave to, marital knot tier, glorified maintenance man, bus driver, administrator, counselor, friend, etc. Not only do deacons serve just the parishioners of their individual churches, but through their ordination are called to reach out to help all who cross their path. They serve the faithful Catholic who is in church each Sunday. They serve that CME (Christmas, Mother's Day and Easter) Catholic. They serve that person who is not catholic, but simply in need and reaching out to the church for help and/or guidance. These wonderful men of God know this very simple fact, each time you look into a person's face, you are looking into the face of Christ. Each time you give comfort, you are giving comfort to Christ. These simple words have been ingrained into their very being, "for whatsoever you do for the least, you do for me."

And last, they are accepting the gift of fearlessness in service to the Lord. The deacons in the Diocese of Memphis and other dioceses are truly fearless as they serve as the human hands of Christ. Through their fearlessness, they reach out to people in other countries by accumulating medical supplies during the year and then carrying them to third world countries that do not have the needed medicines for their people. These fearless men of God, will open a soup kitchen with very little money, armed only with the need to feed the hungry and homeless in one of the poorest zip codes in the United States. These fearless men of God, after prayer and reflection, will leave their homes, their comfortable lives and go to work as missionaries in starving countries. These fearless men of God, forsaking their own health and comfort, will continue to take just one more step toward helping a person in need, in our hospitals, in our prisons, and in our churches.

Does this sound like some kind of pie in the sky to you? Does this sound like something from a make believe world? Well, rest assured, these examples are all real. They are from the very men who have been ordained in the past years in the Diocese of Memphis. All these examples, and far too many others to detail here are ways these devoted men have allowed themselves through their ordinations to become living miracles and examples of what God can do. Understand, and I know they will all agree, none of the many wonderful works of service and charity they perform is done solely through their own effort and through their own strength. They will be the first to admit, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)

You haven't witnessed a miracle lately? Then gather at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on April 19 at 11 a.m. and see 22 miracles in the making.
Anna Champion is the wife of Deacon Eugene Champion. They serve the Diocese of Memphis at St. Patrick Church.

The Spirituality of the Permanent Deacon

Over the next few months, The West Tennessee Catholic will publish a series of articles relating to the diaconate. This article deals with the spiritual aspect of the permanent deacon.

By Father Albert Kirk

Permanent Deacons are called to the service of the church in three areas: Word (e.g., preaching, catechetical instruction, witness to the Lord in the marketplace), Altar (e.g., the Diaconal role in the Eucharist, baptizing, witnessing weddings, presiding at wakes, funeral and burial services), and Charity (e.g., ministering to prisoners, to the sick and elderly, the poor, suffering and marginalized). For such important and extensive service the deacon needs a mature spiritual life.

The spiritual life or spirituality of a Deacon is characterized by the following aspects:

• He is a man deeply in love with Jesus Christ, which friendship flows from a familiarity with the Gospels and a fidelity to personal prayer.

• He is also deeply committed to the Church, to the holiness of the Body of Christ, willing to sacrifice his personal comfort and success for the Church.

• He is a man of deep and apostolic faith, zealous to draw all into the treasures he experiences. By God's grace he has become a leader, capable of leading others closer to Christ.

• He is a man in whom the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are evident, who lives not from human but from divine resources.

• As a "man of the Church" and as a minister of Word and Altar, his spirituality is rooted in the Eucharist and other sacraments, in the Scriptures and in the Liturgy of the Hours.

• As a minister or Charity, his spirituality is marked by a love for the poor and a deep compassion for those who suffer.

• He has achieved a reasonable personal maturity, characterized by self-awareness, healthy self-esteem, emotional integration, ability to empathize with others and stable family relationships.

Diaconal training is designed to assist a candidate along the road to maturity in such a spirituality. A beginning candidate will have begun the journey in all of these areas, but even the ordained deacon is not a "finished product." Arriving at maturity in the above areas requires years of diaconal service, years of continuing prayer and study.

The men preparing for Ordination in April have completed a long process of formation in Scripture, theology, pastoral studies, liturgy and preaching.

Their spiritual formation component was based on five pillars:

Faith Sharing

At every gathering the candidates probed the Scriptures, being particularly concerned with integrating the word of God into their family life, their work and their ministry.

Personal Spiritual Growth

Each candidate sought to be faithful to an integration of personal prayer, Liturgy of the Hours and reading of Scripture. He was encouraged to participate in the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation frequently.

Study

A course in the History of Christian Spirituality enabled the candidates to explore some of the great spiritual classics, the great teachers, the dynamic movements in our history. It helped them to understand normative patterns of spiritual growth.

Retreats and Days of Recollection

Several times a year the candidates and their wives "went apart" to spend more intense time in prayer and reflection on God's call in their lives.

Spiritual Direction

A spiritual director was encouraged for each candidate, especially in times of confusion or lack of clarity.

The above vision and program is challenging. The Church today does not need mediocre leadership. In danger of drowning in an ocean of secularity and materialism, we need leaders of significant spiritual maturity, capable of leading others to deep faith and commitment to Christ.

The Diaconal Committee trusts that God has been powerfully at work during these years of formation and will gift our diocese with Deacons who can accomplish all that the Holy Spirit desires.

We ask your prayers for them and their families as they approach their ordination.

The Diaconate Program

Over the next few months, The West Tennessee Catholic will publish a series of articles relating to the diaconate. This first article deals with the formation journey that men who aspire to become deacons in the Church undertake.

By Deacon Frank Williams

Director of Diaconate Formation

In February of 2003, a group of thirty-two lay men, along with their wives, began a journey of discernment and formation designed to prepare those men to become deacons in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis.

On Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m., twenty-two of these men are scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders when they are ordained as Permanent Deacons by Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.

The men have journeyed for five years of study, prayer and discernment _ more than 1,000 hours of formation devoted to the human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral dimensions of the individual. And through it all, their wives studied, prayed and discerned with them, shared their journey and, along with their families, will play an important role in their ministry as deacons.

Our faculty for these studies consisted of priests, deacons, religious and lay men and women who contributed to their formation process. We are indeed blessed by God to have such dedicated and educated men and women to serve as our faculty during this process.

We remember with fondness and love Father Gabriel DiFederico _ may he rest in peace _ who began this journey in 2003 as Director of Formation and also are grateful to his successors. We thank Father Al Kirk who serves as our Director of Spiritual Formation. Our entire faculty has had a profound effect on this group of candidates for ordination and we are grateful to each and every one of them for their role in the formation process.

The deacons to be will be ordained ministers, as priests and bishops are. From the very earliest days of the church deacons were understood to occupy a special place in the Christian Community, set apart along with the `presbyters' (bishops and priests) for a special role modeled on that of Christ himself. The first definite reference to deacons in this sense _ perhaps as early as 53 A.D. _ occurs in St. Paul's letter to the Philippians, which is addressed to "all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with their presiding elders (bishops and priests) and the deacons." (Phil. 1:1 NJB)

By the Middle Ages (around the fifth century) the office of deacon was all but lost. Diaconate was seen as a step in the journey toward ordination as a priest. So it remained for many centuries. There were deacons in the Western church, but they were men on their way to becoming priests. Few people imagined it being any different.

At the time of Vatican II (1967) Pope Paul VI gave specific directives for implementing the restoration of the diaconate in an apostolic letter (Diaconatus Ordinem) published in 1967. In 2004, the Bishops of the United States issued a document entitled The National Directory for the Formation, Life and Ministry of Permanent Deacons in the United States. These documents are still the basis of the Church's current practice and policy regarding the Permanent Diaconate.

The class of 2008 will be the fifth class of Deacons to be ordained in the Diocese of Memphis. The last class of Deacons was ordained in the year 2000.

During Bishop Steib's homily at that ordination liturgy, he said in addressing his new deacons "Do you know how long I have waited for you?" It was the first class ordained since he had become Bishop of Memphis and his gratitude for the deacons and the work they would do in the diocese was obvious.

One of the dictionary definitions of the word "journey" is "passage or progress from one stage to another." The Church waited almost fifteen hundred years; Bishop Steib waited almost fifteen years; the candidates (and their wives) have waited five long years to become deacons. An old Chinese proverb says "A journey of 10,000 miles begins with a single step." The journey of these candidates and their wives toward the permanent diaconate, has begun well. With God's Grace it will continue.