The Deacon's Bench
Three men of faith were ordained as permanent deacons for the Diocese of La Crosse on Oct. 25 – but to tell by the size of the congregation, it could almost have been 30 men.
Gathering at the Mass for Ordination to the Diaconate, more than 400 family and friends poured into the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman to be present as Bishop William Patrick Callahan ordained David Belland of Roncalli Newman Parish, La Crosse; John Bourke of Nativity of the Virgin Mary Parish, Marathon; and Michael Schaefer of St. Mary Help of Christians Parish, Colby; as permanent deacons. As main celebrant, Bishop Callahan was joined by a host of priests from around the diocese, and assisted by many brother deacons of the newly ordained.
Diaconate formation in the Diocese of La Crosse is integrated into a five-year program, and deacons are ordained for the diocese every two years. The ordination of these three men brings the total number of permanent deacons for which the diocese is responsible to 60.
Loving support
Before their ordination, Belland, Bourke and Schaefer were called forth from the people as part of the ordination rite. After each candidate was called by name, each stood, moved into the center aisle of the Cathedral, declared “Present!” and took his place in the sanctuary before the bishop, who was seated at the foot of the altar. Each man was sitting in the congregation beside his wife – Chelle Belland, Julie Bourke and Deborah Schaefer, respectively.
In his homily, Bishop Callahan expressed his gratitude to the three deacon candidates for hearing the call of Christ in their lives – with special word of thanks to those closest to the deacons, their wives, for their support during their husbands’ formation process.
“Thanks be to God for your wives for consenting to this call and generously sharing deeper service in the Church with you,” he said.
Present to serve
In his homily, Bishop Callahan reminded each man of his sacred duty as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1570) “in persona Christi servi” (“in the person of Christ servant”). Bishop Callahan said that the indelible mark of ordination “which cannot be removed and which configures” the deacons “to Christ, who made Himself the ‘deacon’ or servant of all.”
Specifically focusing on the special service the deacon offers to and through the Gospel, Bishop Callahan said that each man will be asked to give freely of themselves to Christ’s Church.
“The work of the Gospel service as a deacon calls for obedience and prayer – both of which you profess and promise today,” he said. “Your free and public proclamation today helps us understand the grace of baptism that motivates and strengthens the hearts of those who believe in Christ and love Him in His Church.”
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
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