April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PERMANENT DIACONATE
'Class of '76' deacons look back on 40 years
'Class of '76' deacons look back on 40 years
"Nobody knew who we were," he continued. "People didn't realize that this is a permanent role for us. We made a promise before the Lord, just like we were married."
The permanent diaconate was restored in the Catholic Church with the Second Vatican Council in 1965. When the first group of 24 deacons was ordained in the Diocese 11 years later, many priests and parishioners were still uncertain about the role deacons were to play in parishes and elsewhere.
The four remaining members of the "class of 1976" reminisced with The Evangelist as their 40th anniversary as deacons approached.
"The priests were familiar with deacons because they were deacons," laughed Deacon Earle Flatt, referring to the fact that priests, before they are ordained as priests, go through a transitional diaconate. "They knew what deacons were supposed to do -- but they also knew what we were not supposed to do, which was helpful."
What's a deacon?
Although deacons may witness marriages, preach at liturgies, baptize people and lead funeral services, they cannot hear confessions or celebrate Masses.
Deacon Flatt remembers Catholics asking him for the sacrament of reconciliation. He had to send them to the parish priest. "Reconciliation is the priest's responsibility," he explained. "Help with the sick, teach kids, yes. We were supposed to do those things."
The deacon, who calls himself "semi-active" these days, lives at the Avila retirement community in Albany. Also a former teacher at Siena College in Loudonville in addition, he's proud to have baptized several of his grandchildren.
Deacon Lukovits, for his part, has baptized more than 300 babies. "I used to put their names on the front and back pages in the ritual books, but I ran out of space," remarked the 83-year-old Navy veteran and retired pharmaceutical chemist. He also served as director of diaconate personnel for the Diocese for 18 years.
Blessed to serve
In fact, baptisms might be one of the memorable aspects of Deacon Lukovits' four decades in the diaconate. He baptized all six of his grandchildren, having also witnessed the marriages of all three of his children.
"It's a privilege and a blessing," said the deacon, noting that his wife, Anne, has always been supportive of his ministry, especially visiting the sick: "When we had company for dinner and my phone went off and I had to go to the hospital, it was stressful, but it was never an issue. The role of the wife was always very accepted."
Deacon Flatt's wife, Beth, said the role of deacon's wives has evolved over the last 40 years. Now, a prospective deacon's wife has to attend classes during his formation, being an active part in the process.
Forty years ago, she said, the wives were invited to attend special events, but not much else.
However, "our family accepted it very well," she said of her husband's call to the diaconate. "I thought it was a very good idea, a calling. He was always very active in the Church and it sort of gave him a direction."
Role of wives
Having her husband assume a leadership role in parish life helped Mrs. Flatt's own faith. She recalled listening to his homilies before they were delivered to the parish: "I could make some suggestions, little things. Maybe make it a little different, a little twist. He talked about it a lot. He was very enthusiastic."
Mrs. Flatt was also put in the position of having to explain to people what being a deacon entailed. "People would always step over into Father's line" to receive communion when Deacon Flatt was distributing it alongside him, she said. "They didn't recognize what my husband was doing."
"In the earlier years, the priests were not very open" to having deacons in their parishes, said Deacon Thomas O'Connell. He remembered attending a meeting of deacons back then where the men complained about not being accepted: "I said, 'You're called to be on the altar. We're called to present the Lord, to preach the Lord."
Over the years, Deacon O'Connell said, "everything's changed, including the Church. It went through a lot of tough years."
Married since 1957, the deacon taught at SUNY-Delhi and had four children; today, he also has 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. At 80, he jokes that his hobbies are meditating, reading and going to the doctor.
Role models
"I enjoyed the ministry, being out with the people," he said, adding: "If the Lord gave me a gift, it was preaching."
Deacon O'Connell said he was asked to preach not just in Catholic parishes, but in Protestant and Universalist churches. "They asked me to talk about prayer."
The "class of '76" deacons agreed on one thing: Being with people in times of grief and joy is what made the diaconate the most meaningful.
"It was a great feeling," said Deacon Flatt. "Our prayer always is that we will be role models for others. I think we were."[[In-content Ad]]
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