Following Christ in service

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Above: Newly ordained deacons with our bishops, from left: Joseph Assaf, John Mihalko, Bernard Feldman, William Samith, Jr., Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Cunningham, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, William Sweeney, John MacGaffick, Craig Rheaume, Jeffrey Dixe. (Sun photo l Chuck Wainwright)

Sun Photos l Chuck Wainwright

By: Eileen Jevis, staff writer

William Smith, a principal at General Herkimer Elementary School in Utica first considered the call to the diaconate when Father Joe Salerno greeted him during a faith formation class saying, “Hello, Deacon Will.” When he returned home from teaching confirmation candidates that evening, he started researching the role of a deacon. “It was about five minutes later that I said to my wife, ‘I think I’m going to become a deacon.’”

John MacGaffick is the human resource manager for Air Force personnel assigned to the Air Force Research Lab in Rome, N.Y. He says that the listening and empathy skills he learned in his career while on active duty prepared him for this ministry. MacGaffick decided to convert to Catholicism in 2012 when he realized something was missing in his faith life. Father Philip Hearn schooled him on the Catholic faith, answering questions that had stemmed from the anti-Catholic rhetoric MacGaffick had heard in churches he previously attended.

On Saturday,  May 11, Smith and MacGaffick joined six other men promising to fulfill the responsibilities as ordained deacons in the Syracuse Diocese. Bishop Douglas Lucia, Bishop Emeritus Robert Cunningham, and close to 100 priests and deacons were present at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to bear witness as the candidates received the Sacrament of Holy Orders to serve God and the Church.

There are three degrees of Holy Orders. Diaconate includes men ordained as permanent deacons as well as those studying for priesthood who are ordained as transitional deacons, a role of service they fulfill in the year leading up to their Presbyteral, or priestly ordination. The third degree is Episcopal, when a priest is called to serve as a bishop. The Order of Diaconate is common to the formation of all three degrees of Orders.

The Cathedral was filled with family, friends and congregants who observed and celebrated the ordination. In his homily, Bishop Lucia referred to the New Testament book of 1Timothy (3:8-10, 12-13): “In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”

Bishop Lucia met with deacons on an individual basis to test their readiness for ordination. “What impressed me in all eight men is their focus on being “doers of the word and not hearers only,” he said, referring to James 1:22-25.

During the liturgy, the elect knelt before Bishop Lucia, who laid his hands upon them and prayed the Prayer of Ordination. The newly ordained Deacons were vested with the stole and dalmatic, the liturgical vestments of their Office.

Kimberly Smith watched as her husband made a commitment to this sacred ministry. “It was more amazing than I imagined it would be,” she said. “It filled my heart with such humility, and I am grateful my husband has chosen to walk this path and I am humbled that I get to walk along with him.”

Deacon Smith said that his stronger relationship with God has made his marriage stronger as well. “Christ strengthened our relationship and allowed me to remember not only why I married Kimberly, but also reminded me about the man I want to be for her.” Deacon Smith said his relationship with his sons has changed as well. “I gained an understanding of the way a father should be with his children. Just before ordination, someone referred to me as compassionate. I have never been referenced that way before.”

MaryArianna MacGaffick knows that her husband’s deep trust in God and care and concern for others will serve him well in his ministry. She understands that he will now balance his home life and work life with his duties as a deacon. “When it comes to God or John’s job, I don’t see it as a sacrifice,” she said. “I see it as a necessity and that makes me feel strong, happy, and proud. Seeing John convert to Catholicism and now becoming an ordained minister is the answer to many prayers.”

“What are those ordained this morning getting themselves into?” Bishop Lucia asked the congregation. “In this day and age, what does it look like ‘to serve and not be served and to give one’s life for many?’’ (Matthew 20:28) The Bishop said that with the help of God, these men will go about their duties in such a way that others will recognize them as disciples of Him who announced a gospel of service in word and deed. “Central to this proclamation, will be a life of prayer on a daily basis – taking time to immerse oneself in the community of the Trinity. My brothers, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are intimately aware of you,” said Bishop Lucia.

Father Mark Kaminski, Director of Deacon Formation and Pastor of Sacred Heart and Saint Mary Parishes in New York Mills said the ordained men become a visible Sacrament of Christ the Servant as they embrace their new role within the Christian community. “They are the sign of seamlessness between the ordinary world of their respective secular professions, family life, etc. and the world of faith and ministry. They will be collaborating with the Bishop and their parish priests to provide for people’s spiritual needs.”

Deacon MacGaffick said that even though there is much work involved in preparing for any ministry, there is great reward when formation is done and the actual work begins.

“The call is real and when you answer the call, your life moves to joy and happiness,” added Deacon Smith. “If you truly want to understand and feel joy, answer the call – whatever that may be.”

Meet the newly ordained permanent deacons

Deacon Joseph Assaf
Assigned to Holy Family Fairmount
Looking back to when he was a child, Joseph said he now sees the hints that God was dropping along the way about a vocational call. It was about seven years ago when he really gave those heart tugs attention – three years before he was accepted into the diaconate program. He credits his wife Catherine and the rest of his family’s support for completing the journey, saying “I never would have even gotten to this point” without them. He also attributes the support of his fellow parishioners at Holy Family Church in Syracuse. “I can’t underestimate how they have helped me learn how to better serve.”

Inspired by diocesan clergy who put “their hearts into their ministry,” Joseph is hopeful that he can continue his passion to minister as an RCIA volunteer.

Deacon Jeff Dixe
Assigned to St. Francis of Assisi, Marcellus
Deacon Jeff is part of St. Francis Assisi Parish in Marcellus. When asked how he came to be called to the vocation, he shared that, “It all started with a simple invitation. I was first introduced to the diaconate by a young priest who journeyed with me through RCIA. One day he said, “Hey…have you ever thought of the diaconate?” He and his wife Gina raised their family in Marcellus. “My wife has inspired me by her personal and powerful witness of faith that shows itself in her relentless dedication and service to our family as well as the children she serves in our diocesan schools as a counselor.”
An educator in his secular career, Jeff will be assuming the leadership position of the diocesan office for Formation for Ministry later this summer.

 

Deacon Bernard Feldman
Assigned to Most Holy Rosary, Syracuse
Deacon Bernard Feldman realized God was calling him to the Diaconate when several people, all independent of each other, asked him if he was a deacon. It was those moments of God’s grace that touched his heart and started him on the path to discernment. “I was open to the Holy Spirit and prayed about this decision during Mass in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I also believe that the Blessed Virgin was instrumental in the process especially during the Miraculous Medal Novena,” said Deacon Bernard. When Father Fred Mannara handed him an application for the Diaconate, he knew that he was being called to the program.
Deacon Bernard said that the servant leaders in his life include his daughter Christina Wiegand, Father Fred and several deacons and priests throughout the diocese. “All of these incredible people demonstrate to me faith in action, and they do it selflessly and with great love,” he said.

 

Deacon John MacGaffick
Assigned to St. Mary-St Peter, Rome
Deacon John MacGaffick and his wife Mary hail from St. Peter’s Church in Rome. “I cannot overstate how much my wife supports me in my efforts. MaryArinna prayed for 20 years for me to join the Catholic Church, and when I finally broached that subject to her, she was over the moon. Ever since, she has continued her prayerful support of everything I have undertaken and has been a constant source of encouragement for me.”
Citing the support of his parish members, and its leadership Fr Sean O’Brien, Fr Immanuel Agbulu, and Deacon Nick Rosher, Deacon John adds that “My prayer is to be open to the Holy Spirit at all times and to be the best Deacon I can possibly be.”

 

Deacon John Mihalko
Assigned to St. Stephen-St. Patrick Church, Whitney Point
Deacon John Mihalko has served the Lord and his church as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, in music ministry and as a Faith Formation Coordinator at the Catholic Community of St. Stephen-St. Patrick Church in Whitney Point. During his studies in the Faith Formation program, he felt the call to increase his service to God. With his wife’s unwavering support and a 3-hour dinner with the late Father Lou Aiello, his decision to enter the diaconate program was reinforced.
For 36 years, Deacon John’s wife Cathy has continued to inspire and support him through the highs and lows of life. “I appreciate all the encouragement from Cathy, my daughters Rachel and Megan, my parish community, and all of my family who have shown their love and support.” Deacon John plans on serving the parishes in Whitney Point, Marathon, and Cincinnatus as he gets acclimated to his new role and waits to see what else God has in store for him.

 

Deacon Craig Rheaume
Assigned to Immaculate Conception, Fayetteville
Craig is a convert to the Catholic Faith and felt the call to move forward with this vocation ” I am inspired most by my love for the Catholic Church. As a convert from another Christian tradition, I am so incredibly grateful to God for showing me the fullness of the faith in Catholicism that I want to spend the rest of my life serving the Church in whatever ways the Lord asks of me.” Family support and more make it all possible. “My wife Nikki and my two children Sophia and Christian have encouraged and supported me from the very beginning of this journey. This is also true of my parents and my extended family as well. My friends and fellow parishioners have supported me through prayer and encouragement in ways I could never repay.”

 

 

Deacon William Smith, Jr.
Assigned to Mary, Mother of Our savior, Utica
Will, whose home parish is Mary, Mother of Our Savior in Utica, realized his call to become a deacon pretty quickly: “My wife (Kimberly) and I were the faith formation coordinators for the parish. One evening during class, [a priest] walked in and jokingly said, “Hello Deacon Will.” This went straight to my mind as the call.”

Will advises everyone to study the Bible because “the more you get to know the Word, the more you hear God talking to you.” He speaks from experience. “Through my stronger relationship with Christ, I have seen and felt my other relationships become closer, also,” he said. “I feel that if others grow their relationship with Christ, they may feel the same.”

As deacon, Will hopes to work in various ministries, including RCIA/OCIA, marriage prep, baptisms, healing and deliverance, and preaching.

Deacon William Sweeney
Assigned to Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse

A native of Blessed Sacrament Church in Syracuse, it was at the 2012 Ignite Men’s Conference when Bill realized his vocational calling to become a deacon. He is regularly reminded by family, friends and parishioners at his home parish, Blessed Sacrament in Syracuse, to “move out of my comfort zone and trust God’s plan for my life.”

Bill keeps the memory of his deceased brother-in-law Jim Thompson alive as he is the person who most inspires Bill to serve. “He taught me the blessing of being present for and with people,” he said.

Bill is currently involved with hospital ministry, where he hopes to continue his work as deacon.