Four men join Albany diocesan diaconate

A soldier, an accountant, a nursing home employee and a warehouse supervisor were ordained deacons October 5 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard. They are:

* Charles H. Hall, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist in Greenville;

* Alfred R. Manzella, a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle in Delmar;

* Helmut N. Neurohr of St. Ambrose parish in Latham; and

* F. David Powers of St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls.

DEACON HALL

Deacon Hall is looking forward to an expanded opportunity to serve the Church. "There is a need for the laity to become more involved," he said. "I'm looking forward to working in the parish and interacting with as many people as I can."

He's particularly interested in working with people in his age group and older. He believes those generations need special attention because of the changes the Church has undergone. "We straddle the Vatican II fence," he said. "There's the old Church and the new Church."

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Deacon Hall is an officer in the Army. Despite the differences that exist between the military and the Church, he believes his professional life and his new vocation can coexist.

"It's a paradox at times," he said. "The person is still the same: a servant."

Deacon Hall began thinking about the diaconate in 1988 and started the preparation process in 1991. That process includes two years in the diocesan Formation for Ministry program, a year of discernment, and two years of master's level study at St. Bernard's Institute in Albany.

The biggest challenge during that period was balancing "the training with my job and family," he said. He and his wife Elizabeth have three children. "It's not easy. It will continue to be a problem, striving for balance."

DEACON MANZELLA

Deacon Manzella, who began thinking about the diaconate ten years ago, started his preparation five years ago and found the training rewarding.

"I loved all of it," he said. The biggest challenge he faced was feeling comfortable giving homilies. He credits his wife, Maureen, for giving him the strength to make it through the five years of training.

"I wouldn't be here without her," he said. "I had tremendous support from my wife." They have four children.

Active in his parish, he has been involved with its religious education program and Confirmation effort; he is a lector, serves as a Eucharistic minister and is the parish's representative to St. Charles Lwanga House, an Albany agency that serves the homeless. He looks forward to continuing in those ministries, as well as adding the duties of the diaconate, especially marriage preparation and Baptism.

An accountant for the New York State Department of Social Services, he sees his job as an outgrowth of his religious beliefs.

"I'm a public servant on a secular basis," he explained. "As a deacon, I'm serving people on a religious basis. Working for Social Services, I feel strongly about our Lord's teaching to care for everyone. There are a lot of people in need. Before we can meet their spiritual needs, we need to provide food, clothing shelter."

DEACON NEUROHR

Deacon Neurohr reports feeling a call to ministry long before beginning his training five years ago. Employed at Eden Park Nursing Home in Albany, he believes that being a deacon will help people at work be more comfortable approaching him.

"In some instances, people may be more apt to approach me, as a minister," he explained.

His interests are baptismal preparation and hospital ministry, and he looks forward "to being of service to the people of God."

The biggest challenge during his preparation was the theological training at St. Bernard's. "I have a masters in education, but I didn't have a formal theology background," Deacon Neurohr reported. "It was a new field and a challenge."

He, too, credits his wife, Victoria. "She was supportive through the process," he said. "Without this much support, I couldn't do it."

DEACON POWERS

Deacon Powers realized he wanted to become a deacon ten years ago, but he delayed entering the program because his four children were still too young.

"I was moved to work with people and the Church," he said. "I was constantly doing parish work. I felt good about it and wanted to do more."

He found the training process to be beneficial. "The studies at St. Bernard's were a challenge but not a struggle," he said. "It was a rewarding challenge. It made me take a look at my faith. It strengthened it, reinforced it."

The process was also beneficial for his wife, Elizabeth. "My wife was with me all of the way. She took the courses with me," he reported. "She made many steps in faith. She increased her faith as well. It was a really good learning experience for both of us."

He enjoys working with small groups, especially Scripture groups. He said he sees the diaconate as more than a way to work with others. "It's not just working with them. It's sharing," he explained.

(10-10-96)

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