HIGHLAND – As each of the five permanent diaconate candidates placed their hands on a Bible, they promised to live out and share the powerful message of its holy words.
“Take this Book of Holy Scripture, be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people,” Bishop Robert J. McClory instructed during the Rite of Installation into the Ministry of Lector, Sept. 18, during the Jubilee Mass at St. James the Less in Highland.
An instituted lector is charged with proclaiming the readings from the Sacred Scriptures (except for the Gospel), announcing the intentions in the Prayer of the Faithful (in the absence of a deacon), and reciting or singing the responsorial psalm if there is no cantor. As distinct from the typical parish lector, these men will now exercise this ministry in a permanent way.
The five diaconate candidates instituted as lectors were Jay Boby, Bruce Garwood, Uriel Martinez, Dan Mills and Manuel Pena.
The men shared how they felt moved as they were instituted as lectors as part of the diaconate journey.
“It’s nice to be an officially instituted lector as part of the diaconate process,” Martinez said . It’s another milestone that’s fulfilling and I’m very grateful for that.”
He shared how formation has helped him grow in his engagement with Sacred Scripture. “Every day is new, and I try to connect with the daily readings and Gospel but also invite the Holy Spirit to reveal to me anything I need to pay attention to.”
Pena described feeling the Spirit move through him after hearing the words from Bishop McClory. “I went to my seat, and I felt the Holy Spirit throughout my body, (thinking), yeah, that truly is the Lord who is calling me – you are ready for that.”
The institution of lector and acolyte, are part of the men’s six-year intense journey, which includes three years of Lay Ecclesial Ministry and three years of diaconate formation leading up to ordination in 2027.
“I’m surprised it’s gone this fast, but we’re still two years away from ordination,” Mills said. “I’m anxious and excited for that but I’ve enjoyed every step of this journey so far. I’m just trying to take it one step at a time. I was doing a lot of reflecting on where I've been in the LEM classes and the previous diaconate classes that I've gone through to get me to this point, and just how much God has done for me in my personal life and changed me. It was just a lot of gratitude and a lot of thanksgiving tonight.”
Families, and especially the wives, are an important part of the men’s journey. Boby described how the diaconate journey has brought him and his wife closer together.
“We were close anyway,” said Boby, whose wife converted to Catholicism in 2019. “Our spiritual life together as a couple was top of the charts. Since I've been going through this journey, each step we have grown even closer together. It's just amazing. It’s official now and we’re moving forward,” said Garwood, following the Mass. “I'm not much to look for the light at the end of the tunnel, but I know that I cannot wait for ordination. I cannot wait to give myself up to the Lord. I can't wait for that time.”
Garwood also expressed gratitude for the deacons there that night celebrating their jubilee anniversaries.
“They're very welcoming,” he said. “I'm looking in awe at all these guys and how many years they've been serving. It’s unbelievable.”
Those deacons celebrating their jubilee anniversaries this year included John A. Bacon, Michael D. Foster, Richard W. Huber, Edward Kozub, Michael J. Prendergast and Dale C. Walsh – all with 25 years. Those celebrating 40-plus years include Sherman Brown, Nicholas Jurasevich, Joseph Manchak, Martin J. Denkhoff, Gregory G. Fabian, Robert E. Gill and William E. Jones. Robert J. Bucheit, who is from the first diaconate class is celebrating his 44th year as a deacon.
“I can’t believe it’s been 43 years already. The years went by just like that,” said Deacon Denkhoff, as he snapped his fingers. “It’s been very rewarding, very remarkable.”
He spoke of his love for taking communion and visiting people in the community, and offered advice to the candidates.
“Commit yourself to Jesus and your prayer life because you’ll need that. Also you’ll need your family support,” said Denkhoff, who was grateful for the support he received from his family and others.
Bishop McClory offered his appreciation for the men celebrating their jubilee anniversaries and their year of faithful service to the diocese. He also thanked the men who answered the call and are currently in the diaconate formation program.
During the homily, the bishop stressed the importance of focusing internally before they can effectively minister externally.
He reiterated the words from the night’s first reading 1 Timothy 4:12-16. “Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”
“It’s a great reminder for us called to ministry in any way that as we focus on what we are called to do externally, which is an important part of the ministry, but we have to stay alert to how He works in my heart – how am I growing closer to Christ, how are you not ignoring Him to really be the man you are called to be ordained,” said Bishop McClory.
The bishop shared the words of Pope Leo XIV, stressing the need of internal growth:
“The inner life is not a refuge from our personal and community responsibilities, from the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us in the Church and in the world, from urgent questions and problems. One comes back into oneself in order to then go out into the world even more motivated and enthusiastic in mission.”
Bishop McClory continued with Pope Leo’s words, “This missionary spirit must not be allowed to die out, because even today there is a great need for it. I urge you to revive it, remembering that the evangelizing mission to which we are all called demands the witness of a humble and simple joy, the readiness to serve, the sharing of the life of the people to whom we are sent.”
The bishop emphasized it comes down to four letters: “The center of everything is love.”
Caption: Diaconate candidate Bruce Garwood receives the book of Sacred Scripture as his is instituted as lector by Bishop Robert J. McClory with Father Marty Dobrzynski looks on. Four other men were instituted during the Deacon Jubilee Mass and Institution to the Ministry of Lector on Sept. 18 at St. James the Less. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
