DEACON STEVEN CARAHER
Proclaiming ‘the utter goodness of God’ is aim of transitional deacon
GARY – Steven Caraher studied math and computer science at Indiana University, but when it all added up for the 27-year-old Munster man, he realized the seminary was the place he was meant to be. After five years studying for the priesthood and discerning his calling, Caraher will be ordained a transitional deacon on June 3 and begin his final year of preparation for ordination to the priesthood in 2024 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.
“Liturgically, (transitional and permanent deacons) assist the priest at the altar, proclaim the gospel, preach and can lead prayer services and Holy Communion services,” said Father Kevin Huber, diocesan chancellor and pastor at St. Mary, Crown Point. “Transitional deacons can administer the sacrament of baptism, witness the sacrament of marriage and bless people and religious articles. Pastorally, they visit the sick and homebound, teach, prepare couples for marriage, prepare parents for baptism, sign marriage documents and preside at funerals outside of Mass and rites of committal at the cemetery.”
He will spend this summer serving at Queen of All Saints in Michigan City, and will receive a parish assignment in Detroit for his final year at seminary.
As he approached this next step, Caraher answered some questions about who he is and the journey he has chosen:
Hometown and home parish: Munster and St. Thomas More, Munster
Parents: PJ and Margaret Caraher of Munster
Siblings: Bridget Caraher, 25; Richard Caraher, 23; Mark Caraher, 20
Education: St. Thomas More School, Munster (2001-10), Munster High School (2010-14), Indiana University (2014-18), with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science and a minor in Theatre; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, Ill.; Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit.
Parish involvement: Caraher was an altar server at St. Thomas More, sang in the schola choir and as a member of Boy Scout Troop 542, he achieved Eagle Scout rank with a project that involved installing pew pockets at the church. His summer assignments have included: 2018 – Totus Tuus team throughout Diocese of Gary; 2019 – St. Paul, Valparaiso, 2019, Totus Tuus, youth and homebound ministries; 2020 – St. Thomas More, live streaming Mass during pandemic; 12021 – Christ in the City homeless ministry; and 2022 – St. John the Evangelist, St. John, young adult, homebound, social media and hospital ministries.
Words of Jesus that most inspired you and why: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matt 14:27) In the midst of the storms of life, the challenges faced and the crosses borne, Jesus is with us throughout it all, giving us courage through His word. It is in the crosses that we carry that we become more and more configured to Jesus, who showed us the Father’s ultimate love for us on the cross. The deeper I’ve adventured on the path of discipleship, the deeper I’ve realized that in Christ is my ultimate security, and that there is no better way to spend life than to spend it growing closer and closer to Christ.
Ministries you hope to pursue as a deacon: I am excited to preach the Gospel, to proclaim it in the Mass and to preach on God’s word in homilies. I look forward to ministering to the sick, the hurting, the isolated and the forgotten.
With what gifts do you believe you have been blessed by God? I believe that God has blessed me with a heart that desires to accompany people and to proclaim the utter goodness of God that He has revealed to us through His Son.
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DEACON ZACHARY GLICK
By land and air, transitional deacon looks to bring new life in Christ
GARY – After earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Zach Glick, 28, changed gears and entered the seminary, discerning a calling to the priesthood. As he prepares to complete his studies during the coming year at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, he will be ordained a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Gary on June 3.
He will spend this summer serving at St. Mary in Crown Point and will receive a parish assignment in Detroit for his final year at seminary. “Deacons, both transitional and permanent (not preparing for the priesthood), carry considerable responsibility in the mission of the Catholic Church to continue the ministry of Christ,” noted Father Kevin Huber, pastor at St. Mary and chancellor for the diocese.
Glick has also expressed a desire to serve a military chaplaincy, meeting a need for Catholic priests to serve the spiritual needs of the military. “I am planning to serve for a period of time as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. I will first serve in the Diocese of Gary for three years and then in the Archdiocese of the Military Services for five years before returning to the Diocese of Gary permanently,” he explained.
As he approached the next step to the diaconate, Glick responded to questions about his background and the path he has chosen:
Hometown and home parish: Highland and Our Lady of Grace, Highland
Parents: Marc and Joann Glick of Highland
Siblings: Marcus Glick, 31
Education: Our Lady of Grace School, Highland (2000-09); Highland High School (2009-13); Rose- Hulman Institute of Technology, BS (2013-17) and MS (2017-19), both in Mechanical Engineering; University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, Ill., MS (2018-20); Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit.
Parish involvement: St. Francis Xavier, Lake Station, 2019 – Vacation Bible school, Alpha Youth Series and work with Missionaries of Charity; St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville, 2020, livestreaming Mass and creating daily prayers to email to parishioners during COVID-19 pandemic; St. Thomas More, Munster, 2020, led online Bible Study during COVID-19 pandemic; Queen of All Saints and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Michigan City, 2021, Christ in the City program; Our Lady of Consolation/Holy Martyrs, Merrillville, 2022, led Bible Study, visited nursing homes and started weekly Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour
Words of Jesus that most inspired you and why: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) In these words, Jesus shows us how He came to give us the fullness of life and eternal life. Jesus is the greatest gift we could ever receive!
Ministries you hope to pursue as a deacon: I hope to be able to bring people to new life in Christ through baptism as well as preach at Mass and lead the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
With what gifts do you believe you have been blessed by God? Some of the gifts which God has blessed me with are studying, understanding, and explaining the faith; listening and being present to others; and showing God’s love to others through charity.