Deacon Testimonies

What year were you ordained? 2014

At which parish do you serve? St. Mary of the Annunciation, Charleston

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

I am the Port Minster for the Diocese.

Favorite part of being a deacon?

Our faith journey as a couple; serving the seafarers; baptisms and weddings; being a resource for parishioners who need information about the church and church teachings.

What year were you ordained? 2016

At which parish do you serve? St. Thomas More, Columbia

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

Hospital Visits and Feeding the Homeless through St. Vincent de Paul

Favorite part of being a deacon?

Speaking with and working with College Students

What year were you ordained? 1985

At which parish do you serve? Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, Hanahan

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

I teach weekly classes, Baptism class, marriage intake, witness weddings, visit hospitals, at the age of 75 I am the Youth Minister, and I am very involved with Divine Redeemer School.

Favorite part of being a deacon?

In my 33 years of being a deacon, I truly enjoy being of service to many people. Love baptizing children, preaching once a month on Sunday and twice a month for the school children.

What year were you ordained? 2016

At which parish do you serve? St. Mary’s – Greenville, SC

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

Prayer/support group with several Married Couples (known as “Teams of our Lady”); Pastoral Counseling; Spiritual Guidance; Mentoring deacon candidates currently in formation; Teaching classes for adults in religion/theology

Favorite part of being a deacon?

Directly assisting the people/parishioners via ministries; training & working with the Altar Servers for the liturgies; Preparing a homily

What year were you ordained? 2006, Diocese of Nashville, TN

At which parish do you serve? St John the Beloved

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

Marriage Preparation, Mentor Couple Program, Case Assistant for Tribunal

Favorite part of being a deacon? Serving God’s People

What’s a typical week for a deacon? Secular work M-F, Parish work 1-5 evenings (Marriage, Declaration of Nullity work), Masses / Baptisms / Weddings on weekends

What year were you ordained? 1989

At which parish do you serve? St. Gregory the Great

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

Family Life Director and Nursing Home Chaplain

Favorite part of being a deacon?

My favorite part of my diaconate ministry is always the people that I get to meet.

What’s a typical week for a deacon?

• Adoration 7-8am
• 8:30 Morning Mass every day
• Teaching Religion every day in our parish school
• Office hours 6 hours per day
• Nursing home visiting every other Thursday
• Evenings, meetings, RCIA
• Monthly Adult Education presentation

What year were you ordained? 2016

At which parish do you serve?

All Saints Catholic Church, Lake Wylie, SC

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

Nursing home visits, CHRP Retreat – Multiple parishes involved

Favorite part of being a deacon? The interaction with people.

What’s a typical week for a deacon?

Mass Saturday evening/Sunday morning, Faith Formation Sunday night. Meetings through the week acting as Chaplain for multiple parish and fraternal organizations, Coordinating NFP and wedding prep with the Pastor, Co-chair a bible study for the Youth.

What year were you ordained? 2017

At which parish do you serve? Saint Gerard, Aiken

In what community outreach or ministries are you involved?

Care of the sick/patient care-emergency medical technician, Communion to the sick and home bound, Catechist, Coordination of parish programs, Deanery Leader-Aiken

Favorite part of being a deacon?

Serving those truly in need and seeing our Lord’s face in all of them

What’s a typical week for a deacon?

I wouldn’t think my week would be typical, but I think every deacon would make the same statement. My week consists of 48-72 hours of emergency response shifts in two to three 24 hour shifts. Additional activities include study for professional and spiritual development, homily preparation, one to two parish planning meetings per week, religious ed class preparation, teaching post confirmation religious ed, assistance in liturgical planning, visits to the sick and home bound, and serving at one to two Masses on the weekend. All of these activities don’t necessarily occur in the same week, but rather frequently throughout any given month. There is time left in the week for gardening, home projects, spending time with grandchildren, and dating my wife.