Bishop tells new deacons they are a bridge between secular, sacred life

“This is a day of great joy,” Bishop Edward Malesic said as he prepared to ordain six men to the sacred order of the permanent diaconate on May 6 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland.

The newly ordained, their home parishes, family members and assigned parishes are:

• Robert John Blackburn, St. Basil the Great Parish, Brecksville. He is married to Allison Blackburn and they have five children, three sons and two daughters. He is assigned to St. Basil.
• Andrew Joseph Davis, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Akron. A clinical director for Catholic Charities, he is married to Christine Davis and they have five children, four daughters and one son. He is assigned to St. Vincent de Paul, Akron.
• William Gerard Elwer, St. Jude Parish, Elyria. An integration services manager, he is married to Michelle Elwer and they have two children, a son and a daughter. He is assigned to St. Jude.
• Michael Dominic Mucic, St. Mary of the Falls Parish, Olmsted Falls. A retired Navy veteran, he is married to Carolyn Mucic and they have two children, a son and a daughter. He is assigned to St. Richard Parish, North Olmsted.
• Robert Joseph Stegmaier, Nativity of the Lord Parish, Akron. He is retired and married to Kathleen Stegimaier. They have two children, a son and a daughter. He is assigned to St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Akron.
• Thomas William Ward, SS. Robert and William Parish, Euclid, and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. A police officer, he is married to Christine Ward and they have four children, two daughters and two sons. He is assigned to Holy Redeemer Parish, Cleveland.

(See photo gallery above.)

“Thank God for raising you up to be our deacons. You will be a great help to me, to our pastors and to all of us,” the bishop said. He also told then they will be in a unique position “to take the Gospel message out into the workplace and the world of everyday life. In a unique way, you will stand as a bridge between the life of the sacred and the life of the secular.”

He explained the origin of the diaconate, noting that the early apostles needed help in serving God’s people so that they could more fully devote themselves to their own special ministry of prayer. “So they chose seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom – prayed over them and laid hands on them – and the men became the first deacons of the Church,” the bishop said.

Those men asked the apostles how they could help. The apostles said they could wait on the tables of the widows of Jerusalem, thus freeing the apostles to do the work they were called to do. The early deacons pitched in where they could and whenever they were asked, the bishop said. “They proclaimed the Gospel in the works they performed and the words they spoke. One of them, Stephen, was the first martyr recorded in the Acts,” he added.

In the Gospel, the bishop said Jesus talked about the nature of Christian love, which is at the heart of all authentic ministry. “He says, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’”

Recalling his own ordination as a deacon, Bishop Malesic said one of the most moving experiences was when he laid prostrate in front of the altar. “Men, when you lay down on the floor today before the altar of God, see it as a symbol of the life you are offering to God and God’s Church, just as Jesus offered his life for you.”

He reminded the men that God chose them before they chose him. “He is appointing you today to go and bear fruit that will remain. Unfortunately, you will often only plant the seeds and the fruit will be harvested later, perhaps after you are long gone. Trust that God is using you for a greater purpose than you might sometimes see,” the bishop said.

As they prepared for their ordination, he said others walked with them, including their wives.

“It is required that I ask their opinion on all of this before I ordain you. Not one of them gave an objection. In fact, they basically said, ‘How soon can they start?’” he quipped. He also thanked them “for answering God’s call to be the wife of a deacon, their ordained husband’s partner in life and love and to support him in ordained ministry.”

Regarding how they can help, Bishop Malesic explained that as deacons, the men will help him, future bishops and priests with ministry of the Word, in service of the sacraments and in works of charity toward the needy. They will minister at the altar, distribute the Eucharist to the faithful, preside over public prayer, administer baptism, assist at and bless marriages, bring viaticum to the dying and conduct funeral rites. In addition, they will instruct people in the faith.

“Bring your enthusiasm for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us. Look for ways to evangelize and proclaim the good news to a culture that has forgotten the basics of the faith and many who even reject the person of the Risen Christ. Find new ways to propose the beauty of our faith. Don’t be shy to proclaim Jesus, risen from the dead. Counter the culture of death with the Gospel of life because God bestows dignity on every human life, born and unborn,” he said.

The bishop encouraged the new deacons to take the Gospel outside of the church walls and to perform works of charity in the name of the bishop. “You will also assist us with your prayers. Pray – pray hard and often,” he added.

“When you wake up tomorrow as a deacon, don’t forget to ask the Lord, ‘How can I help?’ And he will show you,” the bishop said.

“Then, on the last day, after being a faithful steward of the mysteries of God and servant of God’s people, when you go out to meet the Lord you will be able to hear him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’”

For more information on the permanent diaconate formation program, contact Deacon George Malec, director.