By Scott Cason | On Mission
Bishop David Ricken likes to say that discipleship expands at the speed of relationships. The great strength behind the diaconate’s successful ministerial work throughout the diocese is found in the relationships deacons create in service to Christ.
The lengthy disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic proved a major setback to relationship-building within the diaconate. The annual Diaconate Convocation was created to rebuild the sense of community and collaboration among the active- and senior-status deacons, their wives, and the widows of deceased deacons that was lost during the pandemic.
This year’s Diaconate Convocation was held on Friday, Aug. 14, at Prince of Peace Parish in Bellevue. The event attracted 165 participants for a day focused on bringing the faithful to a deeper understanding of the role the Holy Spirit should play in their work as “Disciples on the Way.”
The event was organized by Deacon Shaun Johnson, diaconate director for the diocese, with help from his fellow staff in the Curia’s Office of the Diaconate; Deacon Jeff Prickett, the pastoral leader of Prince of Peace Parish and the Curia’s Office of Divine Worship.
Deacon Johnson spoke for many of those in attendance when he said, “This focus on the Holy Spirit created a bit of anxiety for me. My first thought was that maybe I don’t want to pray to the Holy Spirit because I know he is bound to drive me to go out and do something that I probably don’t want to do.”
The event was structured around two presentations, accompanying breakout sessions and a midday Mass. During the first session, Fr. Tom Long asked attendees: “What is preventing you from allowing the Holy Spirit to take over your life?” He shared his own faith journey and encouraged attendees to trust the Holy Spirit for guidance as they share Jesus with others.
In the second presentation, Fr. Scott Valentyn shared how the Holy Spirit has challenged him in both his life journey and in his ministry. Fr. Valentyn explained how the Holy Spirit moved him to step outside his natural comfort zone and fully embrace his calling to pastoral service.
Each presentation was followed by breakout sessions in which attendees shared their deep dives into the critical questions discussed by the two keynote speakers.
Michael Jerger of Oshkosh, a fourth-year diaconate candidate, attended the convocation with his wife, Emily. Michael, who works as a pastoral minister at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Neenah, said he felt his vocational calling during his eighth-grade Confirmation.
“I had no idea what a deacon was in the Catholic Church,” Michael said. “I couldn’t have told you at the time who the deacon was at my home parish in Illinois, but I distinctly remember the Holy Spirit telling me I needed to become a deacon.”
Emily, who has experienced her own vocational journey as a religious sister, shared that she recognized early in their relationship that Michael’s calling was real and powerful. “I wanted to be there to support him in every way. I could see him being pushed forward behind his own hesitations, and our shared faith moved us both forward on this journey.”
Michael said his major takeaway from the event was hearing the two priests share their vulnerability regarding their relationship with the Holy Spirit. “It showed me that we all have room to grow right up to the end of our days on earth.”
Emily agreed with her husband’s perspective and said she found it refreshing to get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how each priest’s distinct vulnerabilities and unique personality shape his relationship with the Holy Spirit. “It gave us a lot to discern about our evolving relationship with the Holy Spirit in the days ahead.”
The event also provided the Jergers with an opportunity to connect with and learn from more experienced diaconate couples about the life that awaits them after Michael completes his training and, hopefully, is ordained a deacon in June of next year.