Meet “The Diesel Deacon”

From Aleteia, a profile of “the fist deacon in the world of monster trucks,” Philip T. Craft, whose company Xtreme Diesel Performance, supplies parts for diesel truck enthusiasts:

 Last Saturday, May 11, Trenton, N.J., Bishop David M. O’Connell ordained [Craft] and 12 other men as permanent deacons at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in New Jersey’s capital city. Now he’ll be assisting at the altar, giving homilies and announcing, “Let us offer one another the sign of peace.”

Call Craft the “Extreme Deacon.” He’s one of seven—count ‘em: seven—active permanent deacons (and one retired) at St. Pius X parish in Forked River, N.J., along with newly-ordained Deacon Joseph F. Gili. St. Pius serves 4,500 families under the leadership of its pastor, Father Richard Basznianin.

“Over the past 10-15 years, the diaconate has been more and more appealing: to help people in my parish, to be called to something bigger in life than just me,” Craft said. “My ambitions are not for myself alone, they’re for others also.”

..Craft may just be the first permanent deacon in the world of monster trucks, and although he works on the business side of things, he also has ample opportunity to rub elbows with fans. For one thing, the company sponsors show trucks—including its own—at monster truck events, and holds an open house at its New Jersey facility the same September weekend of the U.S. Diesel Truckin’ Nationals at nearby Raceway Park in Englishtown.

“It’s usually a huge event,” Craft said. “We sponsor the event, and then we have an open house where over 1500 people show up from all over the country. It’s one of the premier East Coast diesel shows…. The event is for large Class 8 trucks all the way down to diesel pick-up trucks.”

…Craft believes his “people skills” will help in evangelization.

“I like to deal with people. I want people to see me and say ‘I want what he has,’ that sense that there’s something bigger in life than just things. Which is kind of a paradox, when you think about it, because we sell products that enhance vehicles, which can be a very prideful type of situation. But on the other hand, sometimes it’s not about pride, it’s about self-worth, and people enjoy that. People are social; they like to be around other people who like similar things—whether it’s a pickup truck or a car or a motorcycle.”

Read more. 

Congratulations, brother, and welcome. Ad multos annos!  Vroom, vroom!