Welcoming the new diocesan clergy

From The Superior Catholic Herald...

Editor’s note: The Catholic Herald posed four questions to men preparing to be ordained to the permanent diaconate. 

1. What instruments and/or circumstances did God use to call you to the diaconate?
2. What has been the most unexpected benefit or blessing of your formation?
3. What class or area of study has been the most enriching? The most challenging?
4. How has your preparation for the diaconate, including its demands of time and attention, been a growth experience for your family?

Patrick Haines
St. Francis De Sales, Spooner

I have come to understand that there are no coincidences in life. God has a plan and when we become receptive to it, we must answer yes. In my personal journey, I had a major life incident in 2006 that was a turning point in my life as a Catholic. This led me to a Jeff Cavins’ Bible Timeline event at my parish, St. Francis De Sales. A wonderful woman, and someone I call a mentor, told me I was going and that she would watch my boys so I could go. I could not tell her no. The Timeline and the men in my group changed my life and Catholic faith. I was on fire for our faith more than I would ever imagine possible. It became an almost insatiable desire to learn more. Because I was like many, after my confirmation in the eighth grade, my Catholic education pretty much stopped. So many years later, the Timeline came into my life, and so did several individuals.

Read the rest of this news story on The Superior Catholic Herald (official publication of the Diocese of Superior) website here...
 

Jeff Mason
St. Anne’s, Somerset; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, East Farmington; and St. Joseph’s, Osceola

Being in the business world for many years and being self-employed left me vulnerable to all kinds of New Age tactics which the self-help/motivation field is just filled with. It left me spent after many years of struggling – just buying into Satan’s lies! Once I realized how far I (had) drifted from the faith, a very heartfelt confession was a key to unraveling the knots I had tied, cutting myself off from God’s love and mercy! Also along came a CD about the second-greatest story ever told by Fr. Michael Gaitley. I found the book “33 Days to Morning Glory.” I did the retreat in the comfort of my own home and after 33 days, consecrated myself to our mother, Mary. Things started moving, I couldn’t get enough catechism, church history, adoration, the Eucharist. She lit me on fire. “How can I serve the one true church established by Jesus Christ himself ?” was the question uppermost in my mind ever since. The diaconate was one of the responses.

Read the rest of this news story on The Superior Catholic Herald (official publication of the Diocese of Superior) website here...
 

What instruments and/or circumstances did God use to call you to the diaconate?

Dan Kohler
St. Mary, Hammond

People, people, people. From the time my deacon asked me if I thought I should be a deacon, to every time I was doubting my call, there has been someone there to reaffirm that I was on the right path. Also prayer. Sitting in silence, feeling God knock on my heart.

Rod Knight
St. Joseph in Rice Lake

My mother, Richard and Susan Brown were examples of faith, Christian courage, and my first evangelizers. Dcn. Dennis Geisler is the one who got me interested in the diaconate. He credits God, but it was Dcn. Dennis who got me to listen for God’s call and truly set the example of what a deacon should be. Bishop James Powers (before he was bishop, he was my pastor), Fr. Dennis Mullen, Fr. Ed Anderson (my pastor and pastoral supervisor), Fr. David Neuschwander, Fr. Samuel Schneider, and Fr. Adam Laski (my associate pastor and spiritual advisor) have all been instrumental in my formation as a Catholic man and potential deacon. Frs. Ed and Adam have been a source of information, guidance, support and friendship throughout my formation. Volunteering with the Knights of Columbus Council #2137, St. Vincent de Paul, Marshfield Hospice, Barron County Jail Ministry, The Red Cross, and the ministries within our parish as well as support and prayers from the Council of Catholic Women have helped me grow in faith, hope and charity and desire to serve God. The Diaconate Formation Team (Diocese of La Crosse) has my gratitude for taking me deeper in my faith through instruction and example, patiently helping me strive to be the man I am called to be, and for their friendship. And for all the holy men and women of our cluster who are living the faith and setting the example for me to follow. I would not be a deacon if it were not for their prayers and support.

Read the rest of this news story on The Superior Catholic Herald (official publication of the Diocese of Superior) website here...