Love (and Deacon) makes the world go 'round

Ever wonder what carousel operators do while the brightly painted ponies bob majestically 'round and 'round to the music-box melodies?

If the person tracking the pace of the merry-go-round happens to be a deacon named William Gaul Jr., it's almost a sure bet he's praying.

"I know it may not seem like a prayerful kind of setting to a lot of people, but I often manage to sneak in a Rosary during my shift," smiles Deacon Gaul, whose ministry is based at St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich. A retired New York Telephone employee, he now works part-time as a carousel operator inside the Wilton Mall near Saratoga Springs.

Hands full

Deacon Gaul is rarely able to say an entire Rosary without stopping to help exuberant tykes on and off the replicas of thoroughbred horses that adorn the revolving platform. On the other hand, he insists his private devotion to the Blessed Mother can be completed over the course of many "go-rounds."

"No one knows I'm praying, of course," he explains. "Sometimes, it's more like quiet reflections or mini-meditations, but it transforms what might otherwise be called idle time into meaningful spiritual time."

Often, those remembered in his prayers as he watches the gleeful faces of youngsters whirling past are those who will never know the joy of a carousel ride because they were denied the right to life.

"I just can't help but think of all those beautiful babies whose lives are lost each day to abortion," says Deacon Gaul, the father of nine, who is spearheading a project to establish a monument to unborn children in front of the Knights of Columbus building in Saratoga Springs.

Connections

One of the most rewarding parts of his post-retirement job is being reunited with many of the children he first met at a baptismal font somewhere in the Albany Diocese during his 15 years as a deacon.

"You wouldn't believe how many people come up to me and ask if I remember their child," he says. "They'll say: `You baptized our son (or daughter) at such and such a church so and so many years ago!' It's always wonderful to see how much the kids have grown and progressed."

Deacon Gaul is quick to add that his own children and grandchildren remain a constant source of joy and inspiration in his life.

"No deacon can function without a supportive family -- especially a supportive wife," he notes. "I just can't put into words how vital a role my wife Alice plays in my ministry. She and the wives of other deacons deserve a lot more credit and recognition than they generally get. Without the support of our wives, we wouldn't be able to do a fraction of the work we do for the Church."

Busy week

In the case of Deacon Gaul, the loss would be profound. During a typical week, he can be found assisting Rev. David J. Kelley, OSA, pastor, with the Liturgy at St. Joseph's. He also assists at daily Mass for retired Redemptorist priests confined to St. John Neumann Infirmary in Saratoga.

In addition, he assists Father Kelley on the First Friday of each month with the Mass, the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Every other Thursday evening, he teaches the Gospel of Mark to a study group of roughly 30 parishioners. Every other Wednesday, Deacon Gaul leads a Communion service for daily communicants. He also preaches one weekend a month at all three of St. Joseph's weekend Masses.

Sharing diaconate duties with Deacon Gaul at the Greenwich parish, which has approximately 450 registered families, is Deacon Herbert Howley.

Good Scout

If all of that weren't enough, Deacon Gaul also finds time to attend to his duties as chairman of the Office of Scouting for the Albany Diocese. That's what fills his hours every other Thursday evening!

His own Scouting roots run deep. The son of a scoutmaster, Deacon Gaul says he was "unofficially a Boy Scout from the age of five" as he accompanied his father on all Scout trips and functions.

"I couldn't wait for my 12th birthday when I could officially join in the activities," he says. He achieved Eagle Rank status 50 years ago while a student at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany.

Medals and honors

A highlight for Deacon Gaul is helping Catholic Boy Scouts in the Diocese work on their religious medals. The two most important awards boys ages 12 to 18 can earn are the Pope Pius XII Medal and the Ad Altare Dei Medal, which translated from Latin means "To The Altar of God." For Cub Scouts, the key religious medals to work on are The Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei, meaning "Children of God."

The deacon himself was chosen to receive one of Boy Scouting's highest medals of distinction: The St. George Award. It was presented to Deacon Gaul by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard during the annual Boy Scout Retreat in Auriesville in September 1995.

His other love is sports. An all-around athlete during his younger years, Deacon Gaul went on to referee high school and college football and basketball games for many years. Although he gave up being an official at sporting events just prior to his 1982 ordination, he continues to be an avid golfer.

Tragedy

On the surface, it would appear Deacon Gaul has led a charmed life. But that is not the case.

"I've had a lot of tragedy in my life and a lot of tough times," he reflects, "but overall God has been very good to me."

The toughest and most tragic of times came when his first-born child, a daughter, was murdered in the late 1960s. That loss was compounded when his first marriage ended in divorce.

The temptation to turn from God was great. Instead, Deacon Gaul turned to God -- and in doing so, turned his life around. He now helps other struggling souls turn theirs around. One might well say that his greatest burden has become his greatest blessing and his cross, his pillar of strength.

Helping couples

Among the ways Deacon Gaul has transformed past heartaches into healings is by offering his services to help Catholics who are coping with the pain of separation and divorce, wrestling with annulments and/or preparing for second marriages.

With wife Alice at his side, he lends an ear and sage words of advice to those walking the pitted path they once tread together.

It's not always easy, but Deacon and Mrs. Gaul have thus far helped more than 40 Catholics work their way through the Church's annulment process. In addition, they've counseled many couples contemplating second marriages.

In the carousel of life, what goes around comes around. By giving so much to enrich the lives of others, Deacon Gaul's own life has, in turn, been abundantly blessed.

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