DEACONS MARKING 25 YEARS

As the Albany Diocese celebrates the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the diaconate, Deacon Gaffney, a member of the first "graduating class" of deacons, recalled sitting with a terminally-ill woman at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, right after his ordination.

"Her dying wish was for her husband to come back into the Church," remembered the deacon, who now serves at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany. "From her prayers and our meeting with him, he did decide to come back. She died happy. I remember thinking, `This is what we have these deacons for.'"

Restoration

Five members of the first class of deacons for the Albany Diocese, ordained in 1976, unanimously told The Evangelist that answering the call to the diaconate has resulted in rewards they never expected.

Deacon John Skelly had immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland 12 years before he became a deacon. He felt that the diaconate was a chance to give something back to the country that had given him a new home. "It was such an opportunity to serve God's people," he stated.

Bringing comfort

"I worried about that when I went to the nursing home: `What are these people going to think?'" he said. "But I don't think I ever met anyone who said, `I don't want to talk to you.' They were just happy to have somebody."

Today, Deacon Skelly feels privileged to be with people at the end of life. "Last week, I got called at night for someone who was dying," he explained. "To comfort them is the greatest part of the ministry I can think of."

Family sacraments

He spoke with emotion of the humility of celebrating the sacraments with and for his family, of having been excited at the same time that he asked, "Lord, am I worthy of this?"

Changing clothes

Deciding to become a deacon has brought him to a host of ministries: He has served in the diocesan Liturgy Office (now the Office of Prayer and Worship), produced the "Table of the Lord" televised Mass, run a radio show on religious issues on WGY-FM, and trained Eucharistic ministers. He now serves primarily at St. Gabriel's, Rotterdam.

Deacon Baechel was most touched by a two-year training course he and his wife took to become spiritual counselors. Sister Susanne Breckel of the diocesan Consultation Center, who has since passed away, helped run the course, and meeting her had a huge impact on the deacon.

"Being a deacon is first and foremost spirituality -- my own spirituality and how I can assist others in their spiritual lives," he noted. "She was a very holy person, and living it in her own life."

Day's light

Deacon Stosiek said he has tried to put those ideals into practice in his own work at St. Bridget's parish in Copake Falls, where he is heavily involved in rural life ministry.

A native of Germany, he learned in his youth "to do whatever God leads me into," so when a friend invited him to find out about the diaconate, he went along -- and liked what he saw.

"For me, [being a deacon] is really experiencing the goodness of the people, and being part of it," he said. "I admire their courage in life, going on in spite of adversities. It gives me the strength and the energy to go on."

Familiar role

"At first, people didn't understand what it was all about," Deacon Gaffney remarked. "Recognition has developed; generally, I think deacons are recognized throughout the Diocese."

He believes the diaconate "bridges the gap" between the clergy and laity, but he noted that he would not advise men to become deacons to be "raised up": He sees the ministry as humbling.

Serving

The diaconate is also a ministry that can be passed on: In the past year, Deacon Baechel said with pride, two people from his parish have begun the process of becoming deacons, and he is talking with two more about the possibility of a calling.

Deacon Flatt joked that since there's no mandatory retirement age for deacons, the diaconate is even more of a lifelong ministry than the priesthood.

"Priests have to retire, but deacons just keep going on and on," he said. "I tell people, `If I start getting doddering and forgetful up there on the altar, tell me!'"

He added: "It's been a tremendous 25 years."

(The Albany Diocese will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first deacons at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, June 23, 3 p.m. All are welcome.)

(06-21-01) [[In-content Ad]]