Priests' advocate appointed

He's taking on the new, diocesan, full-time position of administrative advocate, by which he will minister to priests on Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's behalf and represent priests' issues before the Bishop.

Father Deimeke will begin working as administrative advocate early next year, five years after becoming pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Schenectady. Leaving there will be difficult, but Father Deimeke is prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead in representing priests across the Albany Diocese.

"There's an excitement for something new," he said. "I love working in parishes, and that's what priests are called to do. But this is ministry on a different level, and I'm looking forward to that."

Clergy concern

A task force was formed that submitted its final report last month to Bishop Hubbard and the presbyterate for their approval. Among the recommendations were:

* creation of an administrative advocate position;

* separation of the roles of chancellor and personnel director;

* formation of a Priestly Life and Ministry Council, comprised of an administrative advocate, two part-time ministers to priests, and seven other council members.

Final choice

It came as a surprise to Father Deimeke that he was one of the top nominees. A Kansas native who had spent most of his ministry as an Air Force chaplain, he had served in the Albany Diocese only from 1975-76 as an assistant pastor before coming to Immaculate Conception in 1994.

But he figures that being an "outsider" could make him more objective in the eyes of priests, and that's why they nominated him.

Discernment

He had been at the parish for five years, the longest he's ever been in one place during his 25 years as an Air Force chaplain and parish priest, and he was beginning to see different ministries take root at Immaculate Conception, including a peace and justice committee, youth ministry, and outreach to the poor. Still, he was ready for a new challenge, and the day of discernment last month pointed him in that direction.

"We met, prayed a lot, and it seemed the Spirit was pointing to me," Father Deimeke said. "I didn't want to leave Immaculate Conception; but if it's the will of the Spirit, I want to do that."

Transition

Not only will he be leaving Immaculate Conception, he also will be vacating the position of Schenectady County dean. He hopes to remain involved in certain groups in Schenectady, such as the St. Clare's Hospital board and the Community Crisis Network, an interfaith project that helps the needy.

In the coming months, two part-time ministers to priests will be chosen through a discernment process similar to the one in which Father Deimeke was selected, and seven other members will be picked to serve on the Priestly Life and Ministry Council.

Duties

There will be a period of transition before everything is set in place, but Father Deimeke wants priests to know that these changes, ultimately, are in their best interests.

"I want to serve the priests and their needs, and see what I can do to promote their well-being and morale," he said.

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