Three deacons ordained

A man ordained a permanent deacon last weekend "fought [my vocation] most of the way" until he came to peace about his role in the Church.

He joined two others, with a variety of ministerial interests ranging from bereavement ministry to working with the Hispanic community, who were ordained Oct. 11 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. The three are:

* Joseph P. DeLorenzo, a parishioner of Holy Family parish in Little Falls;

* Dennis A. Jones, from Annunciation parish in Ilion; and

* Ramon Ricardo Tapia, parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville.

At peace

While Deacon DeLorenzo began the Formation for Ministry Program five years ago, he wasn't comfortable with the decision to be ordained a deacon until a month ago.

"I fought it most of the way," he said. "I put a lot of obstacles in my path; I was discerning a lot. I questioned a lot along the way. It became clear about a month ago. I feel at peace."

Deacon DeLorenzo, a semi-retired college professor at Herkimer County Community College, will continue to teach music, theater and performing arts part time for the next year before retiring completely.

As a deacon, he is looking forward to assisting people on their faith journey. "I want to help people find their God, help them find who God is for them," he said. "That's what I've been doing in this journey of mine."

Calling

While he had often thought about the priesthood and religious life, there was always a certain amount of hesitation. After reading at a wedding, he became more interested in ministry.

"From there, Father [Charles] Celeste started me on the road to ministry," he said. He is particularly interested in liturgy and adult education.

Of his ordination, he said, "I feel a real sense of joy -- inner joy. I feel 'yes, yes, yes.' It feels great."

Family first

Deacon Jones began thinking about the diaconate 20 years ago. He was able to move ahead with his plans once his three children, who now range from 22 to 29, were older. "My family is my first priority," he said.

His family, including his wife Christine, was "very, very supportive" of his decision to pursue the diaconate.

An engineering manager for ICC in Utica, he feels his work and the diaconate are related. "Throughout my career, one of my principles was fair treatment of employees," he said. "The diaconate training fits in with that: Treat people fairly and with justice."

Comforting the grieving

Deacon Jones has been involved in many different aspects of parish life, serving as a Eucharistic minister, lector and parish council member. "Whatever the pastor wanted me to do, I did," he said.

As a deacon, he is interested in bereavement and spiritual development but said he will serve "wherever the parish and cluster need me."

Of the diaconate, he said: "Like any journey, it begins with the first step. Then it takes daily discernment that goes back to taking the first step."

The biggest challenge as he prepared for the diaconate was balancing all of his commitments. "The challenge was juggling work and classes, formation and family," he said.

Hispanic deacon

Deacon Tapia, a native of the Dominican Republic, hopes to be able to serve the needs of the Hispanic community.

"There is a need for Hispanic ministers," he said. "I'm looking to serve the community where there is a need.

Involved in prison ministry and catechesis through Sacred Heart/ St. Columba's Church in Schenectady, he thought about being a deacon for five years before beginning the process in 1995. He first considered it through "conversation with priests and deacons," he said.

Family input

His wife Olga also played an important part of his decision to become a deacon. "The final decision came from my wife," he said. "She was very positive. She encouraged me to go ahead."

His four sons, ranging in age from eight to 18, were also supportive. "My children have been positive," he added.

Support from his family was important since the road to ordination was a busy one. The challenge, Deacon Tapia said, was balancing study with his family and professional life. He is an electrical engineer with New York Power Pool.

He is looking forward to life as a deacon. "I'm not nervous," he said. "I'm at peace."

(10-16-97)