From the Deacon's Desk

Today marks the 14^th anniversary of my ordination.

What a gift the diaconate has been to me. I have grown and matured in so many ways, particularly in my faith and in the way I view life. Because of this renewed sense of purpose and clearer vision for my life, I have become a better Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. I have more compassion for others and while I fail at times, I am better able to see each individual as a child of God, loved unconditionally by God just as I am.

My role as a deacon has opened up beautiful doors of opportunity for me. I have assisted at thousands of Masses and preached hundreds of times, including at the wedding of my daughter and the funerals of my sister and several good friends. I have presided at dozens of weddings, including that of my daughter and those of former students. I have baptized nearly 200 babies, including five of my own grandchildren. I have also been privileged to give four of my grandchildren their First Holy Communion, with more to come.

I have been honored to travel across the country, leading retreats and workshops for the deacons and wives of many dioceses, as well as for groups of Catholic school educators.

I have served the Church for over forty years as a Catholic school teacher, coach, and administrator; as the director of Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House; and as Director of the Permanent Deacon Formation for Saint Meinrad. It has been an honor to serve in these roles and the experience has only been enhanced by my ordination as a deacon in 2012.

One thing I’ll always remember from my preparation for ordination. We were told that we were not in training to be a deacon, but rather in formation for the role. It would not be something we do; it would be something we become.

I absolutely LOVE being a deacon. The greatest compliment I can receive is when people tell me they can see that I love being a deacon. It brings me great joy and I look forward to continuing the work to which I have been called.

Please pray for me and my brother deacons who were ordained alongside me on June 23, 2012 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in downtown Indianapolis! Be assured of my prayers in return.