permanent deacon community - that they may all be one · by deacon tom quayle. as in years past the...
TRANSCRIPT
On one of the most beautiful weather weekends for mid-
November, approximately 90 members of our Deacon Com-
munity gathered at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo,
MN for sharing, reflecting, reconnecting, remembering and
prayer. Responding to feedback from the 2010 weekend a
number of changes were made receiving very positive com-
ments from the attendees.
Friday evening began with the traditional, and optional, dinner
followed by the welcome and orientation to the weekend by
Deacon Jim Bauhs. The community then assembled in the
chapel for Holy Hour with sung Evening Prayer, Memorial for
the Deceased led by Penny Scherkenbach and Benediction.
Deacon Joe Michalak presided and preached on St Martin of
Tours and the essential charism of the deacon; Deacons Tom
Michaud and Russ Kocemba assisted. Deacon Ron Smisek,
once again, provided the musical direction for the weekend.
Friday night concluded with the first social gathering in the
beautiful Garden Court with a gorgeous view of Buffalo Lake.
Saturday began with morning Mass offered for all our de-
ceased brothers and sisters from the community. Breakfast
preceded Morning Prayer led by Deacon John Belian and quiet
time for Lectio Divina. The morning session was a viewing of
Archbishop Robert Carlson’s presentation to the 2011 Na-
(Continued on page 2)
Deacon Council Update Deacon Rich Heineman
Greetings from your Deacon Council. As I am sure you are
aware from recent mailings, your Deacon Council has been at
work with a very full schedule. As requested, we have com-
pleted a final draft of the Constitution for the Deacon Council
of the Archdiocese and we are awaiting approval. The ‘Servant’
newsletter is obviously back on line and (I am sure that you will
agree) very comprehensive. The Council is now exploring ideas
regarding the structure of the diaconate deanery system. There
have been several ideas put forth and we are weighing the vi-
ability of each in order to revive the system for the mutual
benefit of the community.
Special points of
interest:
Community Week-
end Report
2012 Calendar
Name tags available
to order
Vestment Supplier
Memorial list
Inside this issue:
Weekend report 1
Vestment Supplier 3
Wives' Column 3
Name tags 4
Directors Update 4
Calendar 5
Memorial List 6
Editor’s Corner 10
Contacts 10
2011 Community Weekend Deacon Jim Bauhs
The Servant Newsletter for the
Permanent Deacon Community
Advent 2011
Bishop Lee Piché addresses the
Deacon Community
November 11-13, 2011
The Council meets every month and you are all welcome to attend (deacons and/or wives).
Please feel free to contact any member of the Council if you have any comments, sugges-
tions or concerns.
tional Association of Diaconate Directors (NADD) con-
vention this past April. Archbishop Carlson’s topic:
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace: The Deacon as an
Instrument of Charity”. The response was so positive
that Deacon Michalak is researching how to make the
DVD available to those interested…stay tuned. Prior to
lunch we had time for quiet reflection and the Priests of
the Retreat Center offered the sacrament of Reconcilia-
tion. The afternoon was left open for classes to gather,
prayer in the Chapel with simple exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament or simply to rest and recharge indi-
vidually.
The Most Reverend Bishop Lee Piché joined us as the
celebrant for the vigil Mass of the Feast of Christ the
King. Deacons of the Mass were Steve Maier and Jim
Bauhs, Acolytes were Deacons Larry Lawinger and Mike
Nevin, the Lector was Deacon Jim DeShane. Following
dinner Bishop Piché shared his thoughts on Joy and the
role of the Deacon. The community gathered in the
chapel for sung Evening prayer led by Deacon Smisek.
The day concluded with another opportunity for the com-
munity to
gather for
sharing of
snacks, bev-
erages and
stories.
There was even a late night card game!
Sunday morning
dawned to another
gorgeous day of
weather and fellow-
ship. The chapel was
once again the site of
Morning Prayer, led
by Deacon Tom
Quayle.
As in years past the
staff of Christ the
King fed us very well and we were not disappointed with
Sunday breakfast either.
(Continued from page 1) The morning session was split into three parts which all
built upon each other.
Diaconate in the Archdiocese: The Archbishops
Four Requests and Where We Are in the Process.
1. Review and rewrite as necessary the Gov-
erning Documents of the Deacon Council
2. Effectively implement the aspirancy in the
Institute for Diaconate Formation
3. Clarify the roles of the Office of Clergy Ser-
vices and the Director of Diaconate
4. Review the Deacon assignment process
Small Group Listening Session with directed ques-
tions;
What are the greatest challenges facing the
diaconate in our Archdiocese?
What are the greatest opportunities before
the diaconate in our Archdiocese?
What are the greatest challenges facing me
as deacon?
What are the greatest opportunities before
me as a deacon?
As I listen, what dimensions of “being dea-
con” or “wife of deacon” are opening up to
me?”
Large Group Listening Session: reports from small
groups and where we go from here.
Discussion was phenomenal and covered a wide range
of subjects, reflective of the community assembled.
Deacon Michalak will send a follow up report on the
discussion to the entire community. The formal session
was closed with a blessing, and the community prayed
the following;
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
you have given the world its true light,
Jesus, your Son – the Son of God.
You abandoned yourself completely
to God’s call
and thus became a wellspring
of the goodness which flows forth from Him.
Show us Jesus. Lead us to Him.
Teach us to know and love Him,
so that we too can become
capable of true love
and be fountains of living water
in the midst of a thirsting world.
From Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI,
December 25, 2005
2011 Community Weekend
Page 2
As Deacons we are blessed
with the love and support of
our families, friends and par-
ishes. The high cost of vest-
ments has prevented many
Deacons from having Dalmatics
available to them, whether sup-
plied by the Parish or through
personal ownership.
It is possible to have matching
Chasuble and Dalmatic in the
four basic liturgical colors for
approximately $1000 (Chasuble
$110, Dalmatic $110)
+ shipping.
I have been doing business with
this firm for more than a year
and find their products very
good. A number of our
brother Deacons have also
purchased and are pleased as
well.
The manufacturer is:
Catholic Liturgicals http://
www.catholicliturgicals.com/
index.php
Phone: (+91) 98 4031 4041
Address:
Franklin R Alphonse
Plot No. 48, VGP 2nd Cross
Rd, Injambakkam,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 041
INDIA
Transactions are securely han-
dled through PayPal.
Some background information
from their webpage:
We are a Government of India
Registered proprietorship firm
under Small Scale Industries.
We do follow international em-
ployment guidelines and our Em-
ployees are amongst the top paid
in the domestic market. Our
prices are low because we source
the raw materials directly from
other manufacturers. Started in
2002 by selling Rosaries we
started our own manufacturing
unit for Church apparels in 2006.
I have personally purchased
the American Dalmatic in
Green, White, Red and Purple.
Disclaimer: My only relation-
ship with Catholic Liturgicals
and Frank Alphonse is that I
am a satisfied customer. I do
not have any stake, financial or
other with them.
Thank you for our marriage
and our life together. I ask
your help in my supporting
him in his services to others
as a Deacon.
I know you love me Lord as
your unique creation. You
have gifted me in many
ways. Help me to know my
L ord,
I said “Yes” when
my husband was ordained a
Deacon. The “yes” meant
my support, my love, my
sharing him as he serves our
brothers and sisters.
Thank you for our marriage
gifts and to use them wher-
ever you desire - within
my family circle and in this
world when I am called to
love and serve others as
Jesus did.
Amen
The Society of St. Lawrence
Wives' Column - Prayer for a Deacon’s Wife Margene Bauhs
Vestment Supplier Deacon Jim Bauhs
Page 3
Matching
Chasuble and
Dalmatic for
approximately
$250 per color.
Easy to find
just Google
“Catholic
Litugicals”
If you wish to
see the real
product
including
Dalmatics, Cope
and Humeral
Veil contact
Deacon Jim
Bauhs
Vestment pictures by
Catholic Liturgicals
We have arranged with two different suppliers for you
to be able to order name tags with the Archdiocese
logo.
On the left is a metal name plate which is available for
$14.70 each.
The style on the right is made of plastic and is
$8 - $10 each, depending on the quantity ordered.
Both styles come with magnetic backs.
Please contact Patty McQuillan for ordering
instructions at [email protected].
The first order will be placed no later than Jan 3rd
2012, possibly earlier depending on the number that
are ordered. We will then place orders as we get
sufficient numbers.
for lectio divina. Morning
class begins with spiritual for-
mation. Though we have fo-
cused mainly on contemplating
Christ’s own diakonia as radi-
cal Servant of the Father’s will,
we also explored the nature of
love through Benedict XVI’s
encyclical Deus Caritas Est,
and we have plumbed the
meaning of Advent and Christ-
mas through the lens of the
Church’s liturgy. Mornings
have also been given to the
Human Growth course with the
eminently engaging Paul Ruff.
Afternoons have then been
dedicated to exploring diacon-
ate vocation more specifically,
both through Deacon Steve
Najarian’s profound teaching
on the theology of Holy Orders
as well as through “views from
the field” by veteran Deacons
Bisciglia, Pufahl, Rubi,
Zinda, Martin, and Lawinger.
Deacon Gregg Sroder has
been coordinating our Catholic
Charities Internship, a 7-week
on-site participation from
Thanksgiving till mid-January,
a season of great need. The
Saturday portion of the semes-
ter concludes on Dec 17 with a
Day of Reflection: Fr. Steven
Hoffman speaks on “Mary:
The Mother, The Bride, The
Disciple,” and the afternoon
will have sharing times for
both husbands and wives.
Special thanks to the Wives’
Formation Team spearheaded
by Maureen Zinda, Margene
Bauhs, Suzanne Garcia,
Diane Martin, Lynn Maier,
and JoAnn Lawinger.
January begins with
individual virtue-counseling
for each of the men, and the 2nd
semester includes parish visits,
theological reflection on the
Catholic Charities internship,
men’s retreat, and the “Called
& Gifted” seminar for every-
one. After scrutinies, we will
Updates on Forma-
tion and a Little Bit
More
2011-2012 Aspirancy
at the Institute for
Diaconate Forma-
tion The 2011-2012 Aspi-
rancy is nearing the end of its
first semester. Nine aspirants
and wives attend Saturday
Mass at the seminary with
seminarians, followed by time
begin our summer course on
“The Reality of Christian Cul-
ture” that concludes with a
week at Blue Cloud Abbey in
South Dakota. Of course, five
of the aspirants are still finish-
ing up the Archbishop Harry J
Flynn Catechetical Institute,
too.
Does the aspirancy
work? More than one aspirant
reports that each Saturday is
like a mini-retreat and has al-
ready been worth all the effort.
Please remember the aspirant,
wives, and families in your
Christmas prayers.
Know anyone inter-
ested in diaconate or
who you think
should be? Bring
them to the
“Diaconate Inquiry
Course” or help us
sponsor an event in
your area. Anyone even re-
motely interested in finding out
more about the vocation of the
diaconate, diaconate formation,
and the application process
should attend one of our
“Diaconate Inquiry Courses.”
Each course is three evenings
and one Saturday morning de-
signed for prayer, presentation,
and discussion about the theol-
ogy and practice of diaconate,
about the formation process,
and how to apply. It is a mini-
discernment process in itself.
Husbands and wives should
both attend. Last year nearly
sixty men attended; many are
now in the Catechetical Insti-
tute, and nine are our current
aspirants.
Our next Diaconate
Inquiry Course will be held on
(Continued on page 9)
Formation Director’s Update Deacon Joe Michalak
Page 4
Name tags available to order
Note: Deacon Council Meetings for 2012 are not yet determined
Feb. 16 -Thur. Diaconate Inquiry Session #1, 2 & 3, 6:30-9:00 pm
Feb. 23 -Thur. St. Paul Seminary, Brady Education Center, Room 105
Mar. 1 - Thur. Note: Inquirers should attend ALL FOUR sessions, with wives
Mar. 10 - Sat. Diaconate Inquiry Session #4, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Mar. 15 - Thur. Clergy Study Day
Mar. 23-25 Men’s Aspirancy Formation Retreat, Franciscan Retreats,
Prior Lake (Open to ordained deacons until full)
Mar. 27 - Tue. Chrism Mass, 7:00 pm at Cathedral
Archbishop Nienstedt strongly invites Deacons to participate
Apr. 25-27 NADD Annual Conference:
Verbum Domini: The Deacon as Servant of the Word
Rockville Center, Long Island, NY
May 5 - Sat. Ordination to Diaconate -10:00 a.m. Basilica of St. Mary
Holy Hour for ordinands on Friday evening at St Paul Seminary
May 18 - Fri. Diaconate Community Dinner
5:30 pm, with Mass or Sung Vespers
St. Mary’s Chapel at St. Paul Seminary, dinner at Binz
Mid-May to ? Aspirant Assessments with Admissions and Scrutinies
May 26 - Sat. Ordination to Priesthood - 10:00 a.m. Cathedral
Holy Hour for ordinands on Friday evening at St Paul Seminary
June 24-29 National Directors’ Institute, Columbus, Ohio
Summer Aspirancy Course: The Faith as Culture: A Look at the Historic Reality of Christian
Culture, through the writings of Christopher Dawson, Benedict XVI, George
Weigel, and Primary Texts from the Tradition, and by Immersion at the Monastery
Tues. 6:30-9:00 pm at Brady, May 22, May 29, June 12, June 19 (tentative),
Jul. 29 - Aug. 3 Immersion week at Blue Cloud Abbey (Open to ordained deacons until full)
Aug. 29 - Wed. Institute for Diaconate Formation Orientation to Candidacy 2012-2013
Sep. 8 - Sat. Institute for Diaconate Formation Candidacy 2012-2013 classes begin
Late September/early October Admission to Candidacy, with seminarians
Oct. 23-24 Region VIII Directors’ Meetings, Blue Cloud, SD
Oct. 27 - Sun Archbishop’s Open House - tentative
Oct. 4, 11, 18 Diaconate Inquiry Session #1,2 & 3, Thursdays - 6:30-9:00 pm
Oct. 27 Saturday - 8:00 a.m-noon - St. Paul Seminary, Brady Education Center
Note: Inquirers should attend ALL FOUR sessions, with wives (tentative)
Nov. 9-11 Community Weekend, Buffalo
2012 Diaconate Community Calendar
Page 5
Save
These
Dates
Memorial List
Page 6
O loving
God . . .
I pray you to
welcome my
deceased family,
friends, loved ones
into heaven with you.
Forgive them their
sins and reward
them their goodness.
Grant that I may be
with them again in
your peaceful
presence.
Amen.
Name Class Deceased
Mrs. Ann Adrian 1978 11/22/2008
Deacon Matthew Adrian 1978 8/9/1997
Mrs. Margaret Asenbrenner 1978 9/16/2010
Deacon Richard Barrett 1990 12/25/2001
Deacon James Baskfield 1979 2/8/2010
Deacon William Beckfield 1994 2/27/2001
Deacon Peter Belgea 1981 9/18/1987
Deacon Jerome Bilder 1979 6/26/2002
Mrs. Marie Bilder 1979 7/8/1980
Mrs. Ellie Bisek 1980 12/11/2003
Deacon Jerry Blissenbach 1993 11/27/2009
Mrs. Eileen Boller 1980 9/27/1988
Rev. Robert Boller 1980 11/11/2009
Deacon Richard Broich 1998 7/20/2009
Deacon Frederick Brown 1986 12/21/2007
Mrs. Marie Brown 1986 10/31/1996
Deacon Paul Carlson 1976 4/20/2011
Mrs. Sally Carlson 1980 6/28/2008
Deacon Patrick Casey 1992 1/16/1998
Mrs. Anne Catapano 2001 1/7/2005
Mrs. Doris Clubb 1976 10/31/1976
Mrs. Lucille Coleman 1994 1/29/2011
Deacon Thomas Coleman 1994 1/02/2011
Deacon Robert Conlin 1983 10/13/2001
Deacon Alfredo De Los Reyes 1980 10/12/2005
Mrs. Nellie De Los Reyes 1980 5/07/2007
Deacon Joseph Dease 1976 9/17/1985
Mrs. Mary Dease 1976 9/15/1986
Deacon Ted Diedrich 1980 6/12/1987
Deacon James Dondelinger 1978 4/21/2009
Mrs. Gertrude Donnelly 1981 3/23/1990
Page 7
E ternal rest
grant unto them
O Lord,
And let perpetual
Light shine upon
them.
May their souls
And the souls of
all the faithful
departed
Through the
mercy of God
Rest in peace.
Amen.
Name Class Deceased
Deacon Patrick Donnelly 1981 4/16/2001
Mrs. Evelyn Dubay 1978 8/2/2003
Deacon Frank Dubay 1978 4/15/2003
Mrs. Helen Ehrmantraut 1994 5/29/2005
Deacon Greg Elsenpeter 1999 2/13/2003
Mrs. Dorothy Engel 1979 2/9/1993
Deacon Ray Engel 1979 6/12/1987
Mrs. Elizabeth Erickson 1976 6/28/1992
Mrs. Mary Erpenbach 1984 4/07/2005
Deacon Russell Evans 1991 1/24/2006
Deacon William Falvey 1989 12/19/2008
Deacon Michael Gerdts 1989 6/24/2008
Deacon Ronald Getz 1979 1/18/2010
Deacon Nick Hanten 1983 9/14/1998
Deacon Ben Heim 1976 8/22/1993
Mrs. Vivian Heim 1976 5/20/1989
Mrs. Helena Hickman 1993 8/5/2010
Deacon Nels Hickman 1993 6/05/2005
Mrs. Dolores Hughesdon 1981 7/10/2007
Deacon Al Jelinek 1982 9/26/1994
Mrs. Nickie Jents 1987 10/06/2007
Deacon Al Kattar 1982 2/26/1996
Mrs. Linda Konkel 1996 4/21/2000
Deacon James Kuhns 1979 3/15/2000
Mrs. Valerie Kuhns 1979 2/21/2007
Deacon Marciano Laqui 1995 1/18/2010
Deacon Charles Lewis 1989 9/17/1997
Deacon Garnette Lukach 1978 12/3/2007
Mrs. Dorothy MacKenzie 1980 4/4/2003
Deacon John MacKenzie 1980 6/2/2003
Deacon Kevin Madden 1993 10/19/2001
Deacon John Mation 1981 6/11/1996
Memorial List
Memorial List
Page 8
B lessed
are the dead who
die in the Lord
from now on.
"Yes," said the
Spirit, "let them
find rest from
their labors, for
their works
accompany
them."
Rev 14:13
Name Class Deceased
Deacon Bobby May 1988 7/07/2007
Deacon Don McPhee 1985 11/24/1997
Mrs. Beverly Medicott 1986 1/31/1995
Deacon Lawrence Murphy 1989 4/19/2007
Deacon Daniel Nalezny 1998 12/01/2007
Mrs. Minh Nguyen 1984 6/29/2007
Deacon Nhoc Nguyen 1984 1/07/1997
Mrs. Sue Nugent 1992 9/21/2011
Deacon Clyde O’Keefe 1981 7/30/2005
Mrs. Shirley O’Keefe 1981 3/30/2005
Mrs. Kay Saladin 2009 9/17/2008
Deacon Terrence Schneider 1997 2/11/2010
Mrs. Eva Schroeder 1993 1/14/1999
Deacon Lawrence Sierzant 1978 1/7/1996
Mrs. Lucy Sierzant 1978 7/22/2003
Deacon Frank Singer 1978 8/12/1996
Mrs. Betty Smith 1987 12/21/2010
Deacon Dewey Smith 1978 7/6/2008
Deacon John Spears 1976 3/04/1990
Deacon Richard Stevenson 1984 11/03/1997
Deacon Stephen Stickney 1979 5/06/2007
Mrs. Alice Stiles 1996 11/08/2003
Mrs. Esther Sullivan 1984 10/16/1986
Deacon Gordon Sullivan 1984 7/19/1995
Deacon Joseph Thill 1985 6/24/1998
Deacon John Veiman 1991 1/26/2008
Mrs. Elda Warne 1979 10/19/2006
Deacon Luther Winn 1980 2/19/2008
Mrs. Peg Winn 1980 12/26/2001
Deacon Jerry Witschen 1986 10/14/1996
Deacon Loren Yaeger 1978 2/05/2008
Mrs. Myra Yekaldo 1982 6/15/2005
Page 9
Memorial List
Every effort has been
made to ensure that the
list above is complete and
accurate. If there is an
error of any kind please
accept our apologies and
do let Patty McQuillan
know of the correction.
Please keep our brothers
and sisters in Christ in
your prayers as we hope
that they are praying for
us.
Deacon Prayer
May the Father who gave us life, keep our hearts joyful
as we continue in service to others. May the Son who died for us
breathe new life in us as we reach out in our varied ministries. May the Holy Spirit who gives us strength
support us as we support one another. And may we always be true ministers of
God, Rooted in our faith,
Growing in our love of one another
And reaching out with hope to all who call upon us.
Amen.
Thursdays, Feb 16, Feb 23,
March 1 (6:30-9:00 pm) and
Saturday March 10, 8:00
a.m. to noon. To register, con-
tact Patty McQuillan at 651-
962-6891 or
. To arrange for an event at
your parish, please contact me
Diaconate Survey
and Post-Ordination
Formation Surveys Thank you to all who
responded to the lengthy
“Diaconate Survey” based on
the Congregation for Clergy
questions. The responses were
many and varied and obviously
often heartfelt. The data, com-
bined with the results of our
small group and large group
feedback times on the Commu-
nity Weekend, together suggest
that the diaconate community
is long overdue in gathering for
prayer, conversation, and fel-
lowship. If you missed the
Community Weekend, you
missed a significant time to-
gether, but we also need to
provide more time for the
“family” simply to be with one
another. The number one
“challenge to diaconate” listed
on the survey was “Lack of
understanding between differ-
ent generations of deacons
formed under different expec-
tations.” This is a reality we
have to face. The May 18
Community Prayer and Din-
ner is the next scheduled time
for all of us to be together.
Although the
Archbishop has already seen
the initial survey results and we
have responded to the Congre-
gation for Clergy, surveys con-
tinue to trickle in. I will there-
fore write up a more complete
summary and response for you
in the new year.
Please continue to
send in your “Post-Ordination
Formation Surveys,” as these
will help Fr. Williams and I put
together some concrete possi-
bilities beginning in February.
Liturgical tune-up and singing
the new Missal, preaching the
marriage amendment and the
Catholic understanding of mar-
riage, virtue formation, the
New Evangelization, Verbum
Domini, Scripture study, and
bioethics all garner much sup-
port as priorities for further
formation. Thank you!
The Diaconate Office Though we no longer
have a formal “diaconate of-
fice,” much of diaconate busi-
ness is now being run through
the Institute for Diaconate For-
mation at the St. Paul Seminary
where we now hold Council
meetings and just about all
other diaconate-related activi-
ties. Mrs. Patty McQuillan is
our most capable part-time
administrator (shared with
other offices at the seminary).
Other than direct questions
about parish and non-parish
assignments, feel free to direct
your questions and comments
to us—and to stop by any time.
Out contact info is listed at the
end of the newsletter.
Mutual prayers!
(Continued from page 4)
Deacon Community
Viewing Archbishop
Carlson’s NADD
Convention presentation
Formation Director’s Update
This is YOUR newsletter. As “they” say ‘Good stuff IN & Good Stuff OUT’, OK
some editorial license with the quotation. If there is a topic that you would like to
see please contact me. If you want to see it then it is very likely that others do
too! We are looking for items to be included, anything that is by, for, of Deacons,
Deacon wives or families, particularly in our Archdiocese is desired.
Please submit articles, ideas, pictures, suggestions, likes and dislikes.
Thank you for your service and your support.
Your brother in Christ.
Diaconate Pastoral Support (available 24 x 7) - Penny Scherkenbach
651-398-4534
Director Of Clergy Services – Deacon John Vomastek
651-291-4428
Director of Institute for Diaconate Formation (IDF) – Deacon Joe Michalak
651-962-6876
Assistant to Director of IDF - Patty McQuillan
651-962-6891
President of Deacon Council – Deacon Rich Heineman
612-588-0715
Editor Deacon Newsletter – Deacon Jim Bauhs
952-388-9679
Contact Information
Editor’s Corner Deacon Jim Bauhs
Page 10
All pictures by Jim Bauhs
By Dave Hrbacek