From the Deacon's Desk

by Deacon Rick Wagner

Deacon Rick Wagner was ordained on June 23, 2012 and currently serves his home parish of St. Pius X in Indianapolis, IN. He has been married to his wife, Carol, for 43 years and they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Deacon Rick has been involved in Catholic education for 40+ years and currently serves as President of St. Theodore Guerin High School, a workshop instructor for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and a retreat leader.

He has also authored three books: Remember What’s Important (2011), Fifty Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2016), and Fifty MORE Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2024).

Have a question or comment for Deacon Rick? Feel free to contact him at rwagner@spxparish.org

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  • Speak to the Crowd

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge…

  • Stop Holding Onto Me

    Feast of St. Mary Magdalene Each day, I reflect upon a word or phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me…” (John 20:17) STOP HOLDING ON TO ME: Wait…aren’t…

  • Kinship

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50) KINSHIP: Jesus…

  • Consistent and Simple

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer (July 18). “You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to…

  • Homily: Planting Seeds

    If interested, I will be offering the following homily at the closing Mass at the retreat I am leading for the deacons of the Diocese of Ft. Worth, TX this morning: In 2008, nine-year-old Katie brought home a tiny cabbage seedling as part of a third-grade project at her school. She planted it and cared…

  • Homily Preview

    Tomorrow is the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. I will be preaching at the closing Mass of the retreat I am leading for the deacons of the Diocese of Ft. Worth, TX. Below are a few highlights from that homily. *Under the watchful eye of the Lord, seeds planted with love – with the intent of…

  • Mercy, Not Sacrifice

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Matthew 12:1-8) MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE: Do you ever find yourself getting so caught up in…

  • Come to Me

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest…” (Matthew 11:28) COME TO…

  • Childlike

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. “…although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” (Matthew…

  • Remain Tranquil

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer. Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear; let not your courage fail… (Isaiah 7:1-9) REMAIN TRANQUIL: This is likely…